Originally issued as an educational aid, these charts are among the most distinctive and stunning comparative charts ever published. Unlike the smaller, simpler and more analytical comparative charts found in atlases, Yaggy's images present a living landscape set with an exaggerate scale which gives each a strange and other-worldly appearance. In the Ascending Regions the major mountain peaks from all continents (except Antarctica) are represented. Small mountaineering figures are used to indicate important ascents with the date and explorer's name including Humboldt (1802), Boussingault & Hall (1831) and Gerard's climb of Hindu Koh in 1818. Of special interest is the depiction of the balloon ascents of Gay Lussac and Green. Volcanoes are shown with fire, smoke and magma flows. The lower elevations fill the foreground with the elevation given from major cities including Denver, with the vegetation and local crops.

The Descending Regions sheet presents a myriad of marine life set among a scene of shallow habitats, deep submerged canyons, islands, a landmass with enormous mountains, and even a stray iceberg. The sea life are from the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. As with the Ascending plate the elevations are exaggerated giving the same surreal feel to the image. Shows a wonderful collection of marine life including blowfish, Pampano, shark, flying fish, sawfish, lobster, sponges, jellyfish, coral, a whale and many more.

These are exquisite and scarce examples of multi-stone lithography with each stone carrying a different color ink to build up the image to a complex, beautiful image. We count at least six different colors and perhaps as many as eight. Copyrighted by L.W. Yaggy, 1893. Both are backed with linen. Yaggy wrote and published several books ranging from healthful living to ancient history culminating with large format anatomical and geographical studies intended for the classroom market.

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Condition: A

Backed with linen these gorgeous lithographs retain all of their original brilliance. Both with a short marginal tear at lower left corner that just enters border.