COLLECTION NAME:
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Record
Author:
Smith, Charles
Date:
1828
Short Title:
Picture of Organized Nature.
Publisher:
C. Smith & Son
Publisher Location:
London
Type:
Case Map
Obj Height cm:
56
Obj Width cm:
124
Note:
This unusual chart diagram combines several methods of information visualization. The heights of the world's mountains are shown more or less in the same manner as Smith's mountain charts (see our various copies). Superimposed on the mountains is a series of lines that represent latitude from 0 to 90 degrees north and south. Crossing the latitude lines are straight lines of varying thickness which show the appearance on earth of flora and fauna at various latitudes. The snowfall line is also shown. On the central axis elevations from 0 to 27,000 feet are listed. The whole effect is quite stunning and unlike anything we have seen. Smith credits the German scientists Johann Bernhard Wilbrand and Ferdinand August Max Franz von Ritgen as the source for the information in his diagram (although not the diagram itself, that appears to be uniquely Smith's creation) via their book published in 1928 "Ubersicht des Thierreiches nach naturlichen Abstufungen und Familien (Overview of the animal kingdom by the natural gradations and families). Smith's chart was accompanied by a translation of Wilbrand and Ritgen's book titled "Picture of Organized Nature, in its Spreading over the Earth. Translated from the German of Wilbrand & Ritgen," published by Smith in the same year, 1828. A copy of the book is online at https://archive.org…
World Area:
World
Subject:
Pictorial map
Subject:
Mountains; Rivers
Subject:
Data Visualization
Full Title:
Picture of Organized Nature as Extending Over the Earth. Translated from the German for C. Smith & Son. 172, Strand. 1828.
List No:
10057.000
Engraver or Printer:
Gardner
Publication Author:
Smith, Charles
Pub Date:
1826
Pub Title:
Picture of Organized Nature as Extending Over the Earth. Translated from the German for C. Smith & Son. 172, Strand. 1828.
Pub List No:
10057.000
Pub Type:
Case Map
Pub Height cm:
56
Pub Width cm:
124
Image No:
10057000.jp2
Authors:
Smith, Charles
Link To Source
Picture of Organized Nature.
