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1823 Tanner Map of the World on a Mercator Projection
World-tanner-1823$475.00
Title
The World on Mercator's Projection.
1823 (undated) 20.5 x 23.25 in (52.07 x 59.055 cm) 1 : 80000000
1823 (undated) 20.5 x 23.25 in (52.07 x 59.055 cm) 1 : 80000000
Description
This is an 1823 first edition Henry Shenk Tanner map of the world on Mercator's projection. The map depicts six of the seven continents, excluding Antarctica, stopping at the Antarctic Circle. Curiously, the only continent not illustrated in its entirety is North America. Its northern coastline simply blends into the 'Arctic Sea or Frozen Ocean'. The northern coastline of Greenland is also missing, highlighting that Arctic exploration remained in its infancy. The northern coast of Russia is nonetheless depicted fully. Cities throughout the world appear, including New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Havana (Havanna), Veracruz, London, Paris, and Madrid. The routes taken by 18th century explorers wind their way across the world's oceans and trace the voyages of many, including those of Captains Cook, Vancouver, and Perouse.
Publication History and Census
This map was created and published by Henry Shenk Tanner in 1823 for the first edition of his A New American Atlas.Cartographer
Henry Schenck Tanner (1786 - May 18, 1858) was one of the preeminent American map engravers and publishers of the early 19th century - what is considered to be the "Golden Age of American Map Publishing". Born in New York City but based in Philadelphia, Tanner's forty plus year career was almost entirely focused on cartographic work. His earliest map work appears in conjunction with another important map publisher, John Melish. Early in his career, Tanner partnered with his brother Benjamin, to engrave extensively for Melish as well as other Philadelphia publishers including Lucas Fielding (Baltimore), A. Bourne, Jason Torey, Samuel Harrison, and Samuel Lewis, among others. In 1818 Tanner convinced his fellow publishers and partners to finance the compilation of a New American Atlas. The atlas was sold by subscription and slowly emerged between 1819 and 1823. The New American Atlas, possibly the pinnacle of 19th century American cartography and was commended in its day as "one of the most splendid works of the kind ever executed in this country". It was subsequently republished in several updated editions until about 1839. Tanner had by this time become the most active and influential map publisher in the United States. Around 1832, recognizing the market for a less cost prohibitive atlas, Tanner began work on the smaller format New Universal Atlas. This popular and important atlas went through numerous editions before being bought out by Carey and Hart, and then, in 1846, by S. A. Mitchell, who would rise to become the preeminent publisher of the next generation. In addition to these important atlases, Tanner also issued numerous extremely important and influential travelers guides, state maps, wall maps, and pocket maps. He should not be confused with his brother, also an America map engraver, the New Yorker Benjamin Tanner. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Tanner, H.S. A New American Atlas (Philadelphia: Tanner) 1823.
Tanner's New American Atlas is regarding as the largest and most beautiful early American atlas, truly a landmark achievement from the Golden Age of American Cartography. The atlas was initially published in five parts between 1819 and 1823, after which collected editions were issued in 1823, 1825, 1833, and 1839. It terms of size, format, printing quality, paper quality, cartographic accuracy, and elegance of engraving, the New American Atlas was unparalleled. As noted by map historian Walter Ristow, 'Tanner's atlas raised U.S. commercial map production to a new level of excellence.' His contemporaries were also duly impressed. The American educator and historian Jared Sparks, as quoted by Ristow, describes the atlas as thus:
on the whole as an American Atlas, we believe Mr. Tanner’s work to hold a rank far above any other, which has been published. The authentic documents, to which he had access, the abundance of his materials, the apparent fidelity, with which they are compiled, the accurate construction of his maps, and the elegance with which they are executed, all these afford ample proofs of the high character of the work, of its usefulness as a means of extending the geographic knowledge of our own country, and of its claims to public patronage. (Ristow, p. 197)
Condition
Good. Map exhibits some discoloration and stains to outer margins. Also exhibits wear along original centerfold and verso reinforcements.
References
Rumsey 2589.014.