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Details 1864 Mitchell Map of Europe
1860 (dated) $100.00

1872 Mitchell Map of Europe

Europe-mitchell-1872
$50.00
Map of Europe, Showing its Gt. Political Divisions. - Main View
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1872 Mitchell Map of Europe

Europe-mitchell-1872


Title


Map of Europe, Showing its Gt. Political Divisions.
  1872 (dated, but date cut off)     12 x 15 in (30.48 x 38.1 cm)

Description


A beautiful example of the American map publisher Samuel Augustus Mitchell Jr.'s 1872 map of europe. Depicts all of europe including Iceland. The map incorporates both political and geographical details. Of note is Mitchell's inclusion of the legendary and semi-mythical whirlpool known as the Lofoten Maelstrom (Maelstrom) in northwestern Norway. This legendary whirlpool was the inspiration for edgar Allen Poe's classic tale 'Descent into the Maelstrom.' In reality, it is a periodic and powerful current caused by tidal variations in the region.

This map depicts a period shortly following the unification of Italy and the rise of the British empire apex of power and influence. It was also a time of decline for the Ottoman empire. This map follows the period immediately after the Franco-Prussian War and the unification of Germany.

This map also identifies various cities, towns, rivers and an assortment of additional topographical details. Map is color coded according to political boundaries with elevation rendered by hachure. One of the most attractive American atlas maps of this region to appear in the mid-19th century. Features the vine motif border typical of Mitchell maps from the 1866 - 1882 period. Prepared by S.A. Mitchell for inclusion as plate nos. 60 in the 1872 issue of Mitchell's New General Atlas. Dated and copyrighted, 'entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1872 by S. Augustus Mitchell in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.'

Cartographer


Samuel Augustus Mitchell (March 20, 1792 - December 20, 1868) began his map publishing career in the early 1830s. Mitchell was born in Bristol, Connecticut. He relocated to Philadelphia in 1821. Having worked as a school teacher and a geographical writer, Mitchell was frustrated with the low quality and inaccuracy of school texts of the period. His first maps were an attempt to rectify this problem. In the next 20 years Mitchell would become the most prominent American map publisher of the mid-19th century. Mitchell worked with prominent engravers J. H. Young, H. S. Tanner, and H. N. Burroughs before attaining the full copyright on his maps in 1847. In 1849 Mitchell either partnered with or sold his plates to Thomas, Cowperthwait and Company who continued to publish the Mitchell's Universal Atlas. By about 1856 most of the Mitchell plates and copyrights were acquired by Charles Desilver who continued to publish the maps, many with modified borders and color schemes, until Mitchell's son, Samuel Augustus Mitchell Junior, entered the picture. In 1859, S.A. Mitchell Jr. purchased most of the plates back from Desilver and introduced his own floral motif border. From 1860 on, he published his own editions of the New General Atlas. The younger Mitchell became as prominent as his father, publishing maps and atlases until 1887, when most of the copyrights were again sold and the Mitchell firm closed its doors for the final time. More by this mapmaker...

Condition


Very good. Minor overall toning. Blank on verso.

References


Rumsey 2483.046 (1870 edition).