Charting The World From The Perpective of the British Empire At The Beginning of the 20th Century
Johnston's map of the world presents a comprehensive view of the British Empire's scope and the commercial routes that supported its global presence at the beginning of the 20th Century, during the final stages of Britain's world empire.
This map is an exposition of empirical data, meticulously plotted to showcase the breadth of British influence and the intricate network of maritime and terrestrial communication it commanded. Employing the Mercator projection, a standard for maritime navigation due to its ability to represent lines of constant course, the map articulates the far-reaching tentacles of British trade and governance. The use of red to demarcate British territories and the overlay of maritime and cable routes speak to the systematic manner in which Britain viewed its contact and controls over its extensive holdings.
Insets revealing the rail networks of North America and India, as well as the Panama Canal, illuminate the infrastructural advancements pivotal to the Empire's operation. The delineation of postal distances from London positions the capital as a fulcrum of administration, emphasizing the centrality of communication in the maintenance of imperial coherence.
The chart's wealth of detail, indicating steamship routes, submarine telegraphs, and coaling stations, reflects the logistical considerations intrinsic to the functioning of a global empire. For historians and collectors alike, this map is a testament to the era's industrial and administrative acumen—a historical document that narrates the operational reality behind Britain's global reach during the early twentieth century.
Rarity
The map is scarce on the market.
We note 2 examples at auction in RBH and two dealer records in AMPR in the last 30 years.