1907 Scarborough Wall Map of the World w/ Flags and Leaders' Portraits

An impressive large-format double-sided 1907 wall map of the world by the London branch of the Scarborough Company. It provides a wealth of information on infrastructure, transportation, economic development, and the relative military might of different countries.

A Closer Look

The map is on a single sheet which has been printed on both sides: one detailing the Western Hemisphere, including the Americas, and the other detailing the Eastern Hemisphere, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Particular attention has been paid to the global railroad, telegraph, and steamship networks. At the same time, caravan routes across Central Asia and ancient ruins are also marked. Information ranging from the locations of British and American Consulates, city indexes, and population statistics to ocean currents and the regular extent of ice pack in the Arctic is recorded, including in many tables and graphs surrounding the map. In the margins, flags of various countries are presented on the Western Hemisphere sheet, as are portraits of the rulers of countries on the Eastern Hemisphere sheet.

Publication History and Census

This map was first issued in 1906 by the Scarborough Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. It was reissued in 1907 - the present example - for the London branch of the firm, based at 5 Arundel Street, Strand. Already a scarce map, this example is especially so due to the inclusion of the flags and portraits of rulers. We note only two examples of this presentation in institutional collections - at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Pennsylvania State University - and it has only appeared on the market once in recent years.