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.

This steel engraved map covers all of present-day Canada with its southern boundary with the western United States extending to the Columbia River, illustrating British claims in the region. The Canadian Arctic region is largely unmapped and much of the interior is shown with limited detail, attesting to the knowledge of the day. Keyboard style borders. Published by Baldwin & Cradock.

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Condition: B+

Contemporary outline color with minor soiling in the bottom corners. There is some light toning along the sheet edges.