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1834 S.D.U.K. Map of North India, Nepal, and Allahabad

IndiaX-sduk-1834
$50.00
India X. - Main View
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1834 S.D.U.K. Map of North India, Nepal, and Allahabad

IndiaX-sduk-1834


Title


India X.
  1834     12 x 15 in (30.48 x 38.1 cm)

Description


This map is a steel plate engraving, dating to 1838 and published by the S.D.U.K. or 'The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.' It is officially entitled 'India X' and depicts northern India and Nepal in considerable detail. Map extends as far south as the important Ganges religious center of Benares and as far north as Tibet and Chinese Tartary. Nepal is completely shown including important cities and centers such as Katmandu, Gorkha and Pokhara.

Cartographer


The "Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge" (1826 - 1848) was a Whiggish organization founded in 1828 at the instigation of idealistic British lord Henry Peter Brougham. The admirable goal of the Society was to distribute useful information via a series of publications to the English working and middle classes. It promoted self-education and the egalitarian sharing of all knowledge. While closely tied to the London University and publishing houses on the order of Baldwin and Cradock, Chapman and Hall, and Charles Knight, the Society failed to achieve its many lofty goals in finally closed its doors in 1848. Most likely the failure of the Society resulted from its publications being too expensive for its intended lower to middle class markets and yet not large and fine enough to appeal to the aristocratic market. Nonetheless, it did manage to publish several extraordinary atlases of impressive detail and sophistication. Their most prominent atlas consisted of some 200 separately issued maps initially published by Baldwin and Cradock and sold by subscription from 1829 to 1844. Afterwards, the Society combined the maps into a single world atlas published under the Chapman and Hall imprint. In its day, this atlas was unprecedented in its quality, scope, and cost effectiveness. Today Society, or S.D.U.K. as it is commonly known, maps are among the most impressive examples of mid-19th century English mass market cartographic publishing available. The S.D.U.K. is especially known for its beautiful and accurately detailed city plans. More by this mapmaker...

Source


Maps of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Vol1. 1844.    

Condition


Very good condition. Blank on verso. Minor toning.

References


Rumsey 0890.104.