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1853 Gleason View of Ancient Jerusalem
AncientJerusalem-gleason-1853$175.00
Title
A Bird's Eye View of Ancient Jerusalem, Embracing a Minute Representation of this Sacred City.
1853 (undated) 14.5 x 21 in (36.83 x 53.34 cm)
1853 (undated) 14.5 x 21 in (36.83 x 53.34 cm)
Description
This is an 1853 Frederick Gleason bird's-eye view of ancient Jerusalem. It is a pictorial reconstruction of the ancient city of Jerusalem, using both Old and New Testament sites. The view is oriented toward the west, with the cardinal directions noted just outside the engraved area along the margin. 100 sites are noted across the view, and special care is taking in denoting whether these sites were before Christ, or apocryphal. The view of Solomon's Temple dominates the center of the map and it appears to be depicted in a cut-away style, either from the front or from above. This work is based on a work by Adolf Eltzzner, a German engraver, who was known for his city views.
It is of interest that his view, although depicting antiquity, follows the conventions of mid to late 19th century American city views. The view is front a center, with an index at the bottom of the map and title just above.
This view was published by Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion in 1853.
It is of interest that his view, although depicting antiquity, follows the conventions of mid to late 19th century American city views. The view is front a center, with an index at the bottom of the map and title just above.
This view was published by Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion in 1853.
Cartographer
Frederick Gleason (c. 1817 – November 6, 1896) was an American magazine publisher active in Boston during the second half of the 19th century. Gleason was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States as a young man. He studied as a bookbinder but quickly moved into publishing. After some initial success publishing the short stories of 'hack authors', Gleason transitioned into the publication of a weekly story paper, The Flag of our Union in 1845. The publication became popular, with some 75,000 copies in circulation, making Gleason a man of means. In 1851, inspired by the London Illustrated News he began, in partnership with Maturin Murray Ballou, to publish Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion. The Companion proved popular and inspired other publications including the New York Daily Times and Harper's Weekly. Gleason sold his share of the Companion to partner Ballou, in 1854, after which it was published as Ballou's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion. Gleason began speculating in the stock market, both making and loosing fortunes until, with the onset of a financial crises, he found himself in ruin. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Gleason, F. Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion (Boston, 1853)
Condition
Very good. Backed on archival tissue for stability. Some wear along original centerfold.