"North America XIV Florida", SDUK Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge

The beginning of the nineteenth century saw a period of rapid market growth and innovation in the map publishing world. Increased literacy and public interest in new frontiers and colonies overwhelmed the market because it was oriented toward the small, affluent market of the previous century. With the intent to fill this void, The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK) was founded in 1828 in London, by Lord Brougham and a group of men dedicated to the education of the aspiring working class and the Utilitarian ideal of 'Knowledge is Power.' The society produced an array of education materials, but the series of maps was one of their most successful ventures. A number of engravers and printers were used to produce the maps, which eventually exceed 200 sheets, and continued to be published after the Society as a whole ceased to function.

This early and very detailed steel engraved map of Florida was likely published just before statehood. The western panhandle, from Apalachicola to the Perdido River, is shown in an inset on the same scale. South Florida is virtually empty of settlement, but is bisected by a long Passage for small boats across the Everglades as reported by the Indians. A large reservation for the Seminole Indians takes in much of the interior of the peninsula and the region around Charlotte Harbor. County configuration is unusual, with Hernando County (established 1843) shown, but no sign of neighboring Hillsborough County. Lake Okeechobee is now correctly placed. Unlike earlier versions of this map, this edition delineates Florida's two earliest railroads: the Tallahassee-St. Marks line and the Lake Wimico line between the Apalachicola River and St. Joseph (1836). Engraved by J. & C. Walker and published by Charles Knight.

References:

Condition: B+

Contemporary outline color on a sheet with a few light spots and light toning and soiling that is mostly confined to the margins.