Maps of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge

Volume 1 

London:  Chapman and Hall, 1844

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD condition.

• Dark brown covers one-quarter leatherbound. 
• Boards show some wear, rippling, scuffing, smudges, edgewear.  Corners are worn, with exposed board.  Top board is detached.  See photos.  
• Spine has remnants of gilt text and is worn with chipped ends.  See photos.  
• Binding of print block is intact.  Top board is off.  
• Pastedowns and feps have some toning, marks from handling. 
• Ex libris Sir Philip Rose, with bookplate on front pastedown.  See photos.
• Maps are bright and clear, plates are printed single-sided, maps are of varying sizes, some fold out.  One map with a long closed tear, with old tape repair.  Marginal toning and some light edgewear.  See photos. 
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Interior pages show scattered foxing, some light edgewear, title page and table of maps pages show creasing.  See photos.
• PS2026.0311

112 maps. 13.25 x 16 inches

Large folio volume.  Publisher's dark brown grosgrain cloth with leather at spine and corners.  Top board is detached; binding intact otherwise.  Title page, table of contents, and index to places shown, followed by 112 world and country maps printed single-sided.  Maps with outline color; geological map of England and Wales hand colored in full color.  Maps are Very Good, with scattered foxing at margins and verso; old tape repair to closed tear of one map.  

The 112 hand-colored engraved maps that comprise this fine atlas were originally issued in parts by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge beginning in 1829.  The SDUK, as the Society was known, was first conceived by Henry Brougham (b. 1778), Edinburgh lawyer and member of the House of Commons.  The aim of the Society was to reach as many people as possible, which they did by keeping costs of production down and offering a low selling price.  Quality was not sacrificed; each of their maps is a handsome work of art, accurate in detail, finely engraved and printed on good quality paper.  Over a period of fourteen years the series expanded to 209 plates and two volumes, with over three million maps sold. 

Association copy.  The handsome bookplate at the front pastedown reads, "The Arms Borne by Sir Philip Rose of Rayners, Co. Bucks, Bt.  Probitate ac Virtute."  Sir Philip Rose, 1st Baronet (1816-1883) was a British solicitor and political agent.  He was a close political associate of Benjamin Disraeli and supported reforms in public health.  He is perhaps best-known today as one of the namesakes of the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

International first class shipping includes a handling charge to cover insurance.

Domestic orders over $250 include a handling charge to cover signature confirmation.

#panoplybooks #rarebooks #bookboutique #collectiblebooks #antiquebooks #vintagebooks #bookstore

We invite you to view our Shipping & Returns policies, or to contact us with any questions.