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 fine set of steel engraved maps covers the region from Morocco east to Tripoli and Western Egypt. All follow the coast and are filled with fascinating information and details. Keyboard style borders. All were engraved by J. & C. Walker and published by George Cox.

A. North Africa or Barbary I Marocco. This map includes a large and detailed inset plan of the walled city of Morocco (Marrakech) that locates eleven gates and twenty-six mosques.
B. North Africa or Barbary II Algier. This map shows detail of the Mediterranean coast and includes a continuation of Algiers in an inset.
C. North Africa or Barbary III Tunis and Part of Tripoli. Centered on the Golphe de Gabes, this map details a portion of Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. A French Coral Fishery is noted at upper left.
D. North Africa or Barbary IV Tripoli. This map focuses on the area around Libya's Gulf of Sidra, here also noted as Gulf of Sulphur. Caravan routes are traced in the interior with interesting notations concerning the wildlife and inhabitants of the region, e.g., "Desert Plain of Gravel with scattered carcasses of Animals dried by the sun."
E. North Africa or Barbary V Parts of Tripoli and Egypt. This map describes the border area between Libya and Egypt on the Mediterranean, including a buffer zone noted as "Neutral ground claimed by Tripoli and by Egypt."

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Condition: A

Finely engraved with contemporary outline color and light toning along the edges of the sheets.