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.

Complete set of maps including a map of the entire continent. Each map is incredibly detailed, showing topography, cities, towns, Indian villages, and very interesting notations concerning explorations.

A. South America, dated 1842 (12.6 x 15.6").
B. South America Sheet I Ecuador, Granada, Venezuela, and Parts of Brazil and Guayana, dated 1842 (16.1 x 12.4").
C. South America Sheet II Guayana and North Brazil, dated 1836 (16.1 x 12.8").
D. South America Sheet III South Brazil with Paraguay and Uruguay, dated 1837 (13.4 x 15.8").
E. South America Sheet IV La Plata and Chile, dated 1840 (15.4 x 12.4").
F. South America Sheet V. Patagonia, dated 1838 (15.6 x 13.5").
G. South America Sheet VI Bolivia and Peru with a Part of Brazil, (15.5 x 12.1").

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Condition: A

Contemporary outline color with a few minor spots of foxing and light toning along the edges of the sheets.