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This striking pair of maps by James Wyld, dated 1841, offer a polar projection of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, capturing both the known and speculative geography of the globe as understood in the early Victorian era. As Geographer to Queen Victoria, Wyld was a leading British cartographer, known for both the scientific precision and commercial success of his maps. These twin hemispheres reflect the global reach of British imperial and scientific interest, especially in the polar regions and the rapidly evolving knowledge of the Southern Hemisphere.

The Northern Hemisphere is rendered with great detail, centered on the North Pole, and radiating outward in concentric latitude circles. The continents of Europe, Asia, and North America dominate the projection, each outlined in hand-coloring to denote political boundaries. Extensive detail is evident in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, reflecting the increasing interest in Arctic exploration during the early 19th century, especially the search for the Northwest Passage. Notably, parts of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago remain fragmented or conjectural, a reminder that this region had not yet been fully charted.

The Southern Hemisphere centers on the South Pole, a region still largely speculative in 1841. Though Antarctica had been glimpsed by several expeditions in the 1820s and 1830s—including those of Bellingshausen, Weddell, and Wilkes—Wyld’s map presents the limited known discoveries in the region.” This includes recognizable segments like “South Victoria” (Victoria Land), reflecting discoveries by James Clark Ross on January 11, 1841, during his 1839–43 expedition.

Beyond Antarctica, Australia (here called Terra Australis and New Holland) is prominently drawn and subdivided into various British colonies, including New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). The South Pacific islands are densely labeled, reflecting increased European presence through missionary, naval, and commercial endeavors. In South America and Africa, boundaries align with early 19th-century colonial possessions, such as Brazil under the Empire, and Cape Colony under British rule.