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1817 Thomson Map of Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway)
Scandinavia2-thomson-1817$175.00
Title
Scandinavia, or Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
1817 (undated) 23 x 19.5 in (58.42 x 49.53 cm) 1 : 3300000
1817 (undated) 23 x 19.5 in (58.42 x 49.53 cm) 1 : 3300000
Description
This fascinating hand colored 1817 map of Scandinavia depicts Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Modern day Finland, though included, was then part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Relief is shown by hachure with towns, cities, and major topographical features identified. The legendary and semi-mythical whirlpool known as the Maelstrom in northwestern Norway is noted. This legendary whirlpool was an inspiration for Edgar Allen Poe's classic tale Descent into the Maelstrom. In reality, the Maelstrom is a periodic and powerful current caused by tidal variation in the region. At this time in history, Scandinavia was in the midst of a prolonged period of peace and prosperity that led to a cultural and population boom.
The whole map is beautifully engraved in the minimalist English style pioneered in the early part of the 19th century. Thomson maps are known for their stunning color, awe-inspiring size, and magnificent detail. Thomson's work, including this map, represents some of the finest cartographic art of the 19th century. This map was prepared by John Thomson for inclusion in the 1817 edition of Thomson's New General Atlas.
The whole map is beautifully engraved in the minimalist English style pioneered in the early part of the 19th century. Thomson maps are known for their stunning color, awe-inspiring size, and magnificent detail. Thomson's work, including this map, represents some of the finest cartographic art of the 19th century. This map was prepared by John Thomson for inclusion in the 1817 edition of Thomson's New General Atlas.
Cartographer
John Thomson (1777 - c. 1841) was a Scottish cartographer, publisher, and bookbinder active in Edinburgh during the early part of the 19th century. Thomson apprenticed under Edinburgh bookbinder Robert Alison. After his apprenticeship, he briefly went into business with Abraham Thomson. Later, the two parted ways, John Thomson segueing into maps and Abraham Thomson taking over the bookbinding portion of the business. Thomson is generally one of the leading publishers in the Edinburgh school of cartography, which flourished from roughly 1800 to 1830. Thomson and his contemporaries (Pinkerton and Cary) redefined European cartography by abandoning typical 18th-century decorative elements such as elaborate title cartouches and fantastic beasts in favor of detail and accuracy. Thomson's principle works include Thomson's New General Atlas, published from 1814 to 1821, the New Classical and Historical Atlas of 1829, and his 1830 Atlas of Scotland. The Atlas of Scotland, a work of groundbreaking detail and dedication, would eventually bankrupt the Thomson firm in 1830, at which time their plates were sequestered by the court. The firm partially recovered in the subsequent year, allowing Thomson to reclaim his printing plates in 1831, but filed again for bankruptcy in 1835, at which time most of his printing plates were sold to A. K. Johnston and Company. There is some suggestion that he continued to work as a bookbinder until 1841. Today, Thomson maps are becoming increasingly rare as they are highly admired for their impressive size, vivid hand coloration, and superb detail. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Thomson, J., A New General Atlas, (Edinburgh) 1817.
Thomson's New General Atlas was first published in 1817 and continued to be published until about 1821. This is the first of Thomson's major cartographic works and the atlas for which is most celebrated. The New General Atlas follows in the Edinburgh School, which eschews excessive decoration in favor of a more minimalistic fact-based cartographic vision, as established by John Pinkerton, Laurie and Whittle, John Cary, and others in the previous decades. The maps are notable for their massive scale, heavy stock, elegant color work, and easy-to-read typefaces. Although the atlas stopped being published after 1821, Thomson continued to offer 'supplementary' maps that could be tipped into the atlas as late as 1830, when he declared bankruptcy. The maps in the Thomson Atlas were engraved by Thomas Clerk, William Dassauville, Nathaniel Rogers Hewitt, James Kirkwood, Robert Kirkwood, John Menzies, George Menzies, Edward Mitchell, John Moffatt, Samuel John Neele, Robert Scott, and James Wyld.
Condition
Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Original platemark visible. Overall toning and foxing at places.
References
Rumsey 1007.017.