Item number: COM048
Genuine Antique Printed Color Map
c. 1893
Maker: Gaskell
Antique printed color print from The C.A. Gaskell Family and Business Atlas of the World. Antique double-sided page with a printed color map on either side, published c. 1893. On one side is a map showing the comparative length in miles of the principal rivers of the world and comparative height in feet of the principal mountains of the world, and on the other side is a map of the Solar System which includes many notes and diagrams showing the comparative size of the planets, the comparative size of the sun as seen from the planets, the comparative distances of the planets from the sun, and others relating to tides and eclipses, etc.
This unusual comparative print includes Mt. Hercules in New Guinea: British sea captain and explorer John A. Lawson ascended a previously unknown peak on the island of New Guinea. Its enormous height and size prompted Lawson to name his new find Mt. Hercules, whose summit, according to his calculations, rose to an elevation of 32,370 feet above sea level and was "higher than Everest." Lawson reported his discovery in his book, "Wanderings in New Guinea." With numerous professionals expressing their skepticism about the exploits claimed in the book, Lawson and Mount Hercules eventually faded away into the forgotten annals of history.
Very good condition with very mild toning of the paper and some minor edge wear. The map of the Solar System has some dark ghosting or show-through from the black ink in the Mountains and Rivers map. Each map measures approximately 11.5" x 9" to the neatline.
Genuine Antique Print from c. 1893
Item Number: COM048