Catalog Archive
Auction 118, Lot 576

"Stockholm", SDUK Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge

Subject: Sweden, Stockholm

Period: 1838 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
15.8 x 12.8 inches
40.1 x 32.5 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

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.

Handsome plan of the city has excellent detail of the individual buildings and streets. A panoramic engraving at bottom shows the city viewed from the Island of Langholmen. Drawn by W.B. Clarke (Architect), engraved by B.R. Davies and published by Charles Knight.

References:

Condition: A

Estimate: $100 - $140

Sold for: $75

Closed on 3/6/2007

Archived