Catalog Archive
Auction 166, Lot 226

"North America XIV Florida", SDUK Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge

Subject: Florida

Period: 1859 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
12.3 x 15.9 inches
31.2 x 40.4 cm
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The beginning of the nineteenth century saw a period of rapid market growth and innovation in the map publishing world. Increased literacy and public interest in new frontiers and colonies overwhelmed the market because it was oriented toward the small, affluent market of the previous century. With the intent to fill this void, The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK) was founded in 1828 in London, by Lord Brougham and a group of men dedicated to the education of the aspiring working class and the Utilitarian ideal of 'Knowledge is Power.' The society produced an array of education materials, but the series of maps was one of their most successful ventures. A number of engravers and printers were used to produce the maps, which eventually exceed 200 sheets, and continued to be published after the Society as a whole ceased to function.

A detailed, steel-engraved map published a little over a decade after statehood. County configuration is current to 1858 with the organization of Duval County in the northern part of the state, and prior to Baker being formed from New River (1860). There is very limited development in the southern portion of the state, but Miami does make an appearance on the map. Two railroads appear in the northern part of the state, and the old British King's Road is depicted from Nassau south to Sussanah. The western panhandle, from Apalachicola to the Perdido River, is shown in an inset on the same scale. Engraved by J. & C. Walker and published by Edward Stanford at 6 Charing Cross.

References:

Condition: B+

There is light surface soiling mostly in the blank margins with a small puncture hole just to the left of the title that has been repaired on verso with archival tape.

Estimate: $200 - $230

Sold for: $140

Closed on 2/14/2018

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