1850 Cruchley Map of European Russia

Russia-cruchley-1850
$150.00
Russia in Europe. - Main View
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1850 Cruchley Map of European Russia

Russia-cruchley-1850

$150.00

Title


Russia in Europe.
  1850 (dated)     18 x 15 in (45.72 x 38.1 cm)     1 : 8000000

Description


This is a lovely 1850 map of Russia by George Frederick Cruchley. It covers the European portions of Russia from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Ural Mountains and from the Arctic south as far as the Black Sea. The modern day nations of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland are included.

Russia at this time was under the suzerainty of Tzar Alexander the II. Alexander is best known for his liberal reforms including the emancipation Reform of 1861 which liberated Russia's countless serfs and is considered to be the most important event in 19th century Russian history. This map is color coded according the counties and provinces, showing important cities, towns, rivers, lakes, mountains and other important topographical features. Elevation is rendered by hachures.

Cruchley's General Atlas was unique for its period, employing a vivid color scheme extending even to the oceans, distinctive typography, and various uncommon decorative elements including a peacock feather crown and an imprint medallion, both of which break the printed border.  Though many of the maps in this atlas are copyrighted in 1841, the atlas was first published in 1843 from the Cruchley office at 81 Fleet Street, London, and proving popular went through numerous reissues well into the 1850s.

Cartographer


George Frederick Cruchley (April 23, 1797 - June 16, 1880) was a London based book and map seller active in the middle part of the 19th century. Cruchley began his cartographic career as an apprentice at the venerable Aaroon Arrowsmith firm. Many of Cruchley's earliest maps bear the words 'From Arrowsmith's' on the imprint. In 1844, Cruchley acquired the massive stock of the important early 19th century firm of John Cary. Cruchley published his own maps as well as reissues of Cary's stock well into the 1870s. He is best known for his detailed plans of London, which in recent years have become increasingly scarce and desirable. Cruchley was based in London on 38 Ludgate Street until 1834 when he moved his offices to 81 Fleet Street. Shortly before his death in 1880 Cruchely auctioned (Hodgson's Auctions, Jan 16, 1877) his entire stock. Many of his map plates were thusly acquired by 'Gall and Inglis' who continued the Cruchley tradition well into the early 20th century. Cruchley's son, also George Frederick (1837 - 1882), continued to work as a book and map seller until his death. More by this mapmaker...

Source


Cruchley, G. F., Selection of Maps from Cruchley's General Atlas, for the use of Schools and Private Tuition, London, 1850.    

Condition


Very good. Minor wear over original centerfold. Blank on verso.