1827 Perrot Comparative Mountains of the World Chart

An unusual, early, and interesting take on the comparative mountains of the world chart. This chart, drawn by Aristide Michel Perrot in 1827, compacts an incredible amount of information in very little space. Perrot's primary goal was to show the relative elevations of the world's greatest mountains both as a whole, by continent, and by range. The left hand side of he chart focuses on the great european mountain ranges, the Alps, the Apennines, the Pyrenees, and the lesser ranges in Britain, Jura Spain, and Vosages. The right hand side of the chart focuses and the more lofty summits of Asia, Oceanie, Africa, and America, which is in turn subdivided into North America, South America, and the Antilles. Standing above the fray, nearly twice the heights of any other ranger, are the almost ghostlike Himalayas. each mountain is numerically referenced with exact elevations notated in a table at the base of the chart. A quick review of these reveals the relatively primitive state of alpine exploration in the early 19th century. As everest had yet to be discovered, the largest mountain in Asia is identified as Dhaulagiri at 8556 meters. Chimborazo, of Humboldt fame, is the largest mountain in the Americas as dome 6530 meters – the great peaks of Chile and Argentina being as yet unknown. In Africa, with both Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya undiscovered, Geesh, in modern day ethiopia, is listed at the greatest peak. even the ballooning feat of Gay-Lussac who attained an altitude of 7000 meters in 1808 is noted. This chart was published for Vandermaelen's impressive 1827 Atlas universel de geographie physique, politique, statistique et mineralogique.

Cartographers

Aristide Michel Perrot (1793 - 1879) was a French geographer, cartographer, and essayist active during the 19th century. Perrot specialized in miniature maps that appear in numerous French atlases. Perrot was also a prolific writer and his works include geographic lexicons and several essays.   Further Details...

Philippe Marie Guillaume Vandermaelen (December 23, 1795 - May 29, 1869) was a Flemish cartographer active in Brussels during the first part of the 19th century. Vandermaelen is created with "one of the most remarkable developments of private enterprise in cartography," namely his remarkable six volume Atlas Universel de Geographie. Vandermaelen was born in Brussels in 1795 and trained as a globe maker. It was no doubt his training as a globe maker that led him see the need for an atlas rendered on a universal scale in order that all bodies could be understood in relation to one another. In addition to his great work Vandermaelen also produced a number of globes, lesser maps, a highly detailed 250 sheet map of Belgium, and several regional atlases.   Further Details...

Source

Vandermaelen, Ph., Atlas universel de geographie physique, politique, statistique et mineralogique..., 1827.    

Condition

Very good. Original centerfold. Some warping of paper. Else clean.

References

Rumsey 2212.001 .