1846 Lengths of the Principal Rivers in the World. Heights of the Principal Mountains in the World.
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By: Samuel Augustus Mitchell
Date of Original: 1846 (Published) Philadelphia
Original Size: 13 x 16 inches (33 x 40.6 cm)
This fine print reproduction showcases Mitchell’s Comparative View of the Heights of the Principal Mountains and Lengths of the Principal Rivers in the World, originally published in 1846 by American cartographer Samuel Augustus Mitchell.
The map is a striking example of 19th-century scientific illustration, presenting the world’s major mountains and rivers not in geographic context, but in comparative scale. This approach allows viewers to grasp, at a glance, the relative heights of prominent mountain ranges and the lengths of significant rivers across the globe.
On the left side of the chart, mountain peaks from various continents rise side by side, labeled with names and elevations, from the towering Himalayas to lesser-known summits. Some are depicted with tiny figures of climbers or settlements, emphasizing the scale of these natural giants. On the right, rivers snake vertically from source to mouth, arranged by length, including the Amazon, Nile, Mississippi, and Yangtze. A number of volcanoes, both active and dormant, are also featured, reflecting the era’s growing interest in geology and natural science. Detailed keys along both sides of the map provide names and measurements, making it as informative as it is visually engaging.
Mitchell’s chart reflects the 19th century’s fascination with exploration, classification, and understanding of the natural world. It offered contemporary viewers a way to compare global geographic features through a single, unified lens which was an innovative concept at the time. Today, it remains a captivating snapshot of how people once visualized and made sense of the Earth’s vast and varied landscapes.
Inventory #11173