1844 Black Map or Chart of Comparative Mountains and Rivers

This is a handsome example of Adam and Charles Black's 1844 depiction of the comparative sizes of the mountains and rivers of the world. Charts of this type were first introduced in England around 1823 and became a common feature in atlases throughout the 19th century. The present example is admired as one of the more attractive British examples of the style.

The High Points

The comparative mountains section, occupying the lower right half of this chart, details the principle mountains of the world. Ranges are color coded to show different continents. The elevations of a number of important cities, including Riobamba, London, Gibraltar, Toluca, and Quito, are noted. There are also extensive notations on vegetation, volcanic activity, and lichen, much of which is no doubt influenced by Humboldt. The Himalayan peak is identified as the world's greatest mountain. Even the ballooning feat of Gay-Lussac who attained an altitude of 7000 meters in 1808 is included. It is interesting to note that while the style is international, Black has tooled this map to appeal to his British client base. Sites of exceptional interest to the British Islanders, including the 'highest inhabited place in Scotland' and the Convent of St. Gothard, are specifically identified.

The Long And Short Of It

The upper left portion of this chart is dominated by the world's greatest rivers. Black attempts not only to express the lengths of the various rivers, but also details their course and sources. Here the Missouri is identified as the world's greatest river at some 3610 miles, followed by the Amazon at 3130 miles. The Nile comes up a sad fifth at just 2700 miles, though admittedly its full length had yet to be explored.

Publication History and Census

This map was engraved by G. Aikman for issue as plate no. IV in the 1844 edition of Black's General Atlas