The Library Reference Atlas of the World, John Bartholomew — 1890 Edition

£625.00

The Library Reference Atlas of the World, John Bartholomew — 1890 Edition

Name: The Library Reference Atlas of the World, John Bartholomew — 1890 Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4151
Price: 625.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London and New York, Macmillan and Co., 1890

Formatting: Folio, unpaginated preliminary leaves, 84 double-page maps, plus general index.

Condition Report: Good. Bound in contemporary dark green pebble-grain cloth with half-leather boards, this volume presents as a sturdy antique atlas. The binding is relatively tight, though it exhibits notable external wear; the leather corners are bumped and rubbed, and the front and rear joints show moderate scuffing. The spine, featuring five raised bands and gilt-tooled compartments, remains attractive, although the leather at the head is visibly chipped and the gilt titling has lightly oxidised. All edges are gilt, and the original marbled endpapers remain vibrant. Internally, the text block is highly legible. The title page displays mild, scattered foxing. Overall a well-handled and preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This edition of John Bartholomew's comprehensive world atlas is a scarce and highly sought-after cornerstone of British cartography. Featuring 84 meticulously detailed double-page color maps, the work highlights Bartholomew’s renowned system of layer coloring, which revolutionised the visual representation of altitude and topography in commercial mapmaking. Alongside a massive general index to 100,000 places, this atlas served as a premier geographical tool of the Victorian era.

While devoid of personal inscriptions or institutional stamps on the primary leaves, the volume retains its original marbled endpapers and full gilt page edges, indicative of a high-quality contemporary binding meant for a gentleman's library. Intact copies containing all 84 double-page maps are becoming increasingly scarce on the open market, as many atlases from this period are frequently disbound by dealers to sell the individual plates.

Blurb: The Library Reference Atlas of the World by John Bartholomew stands as a monumental achievement in cartographic history, offering a sweeping, highly detailed snapshot of the globe at the twilight of the 19th century. Through its 84 richly colored double-page maps, the atlas traces the shifting political, commercial, and physical landscapes of the Victorian era. Complete with an exhaustive index, it remains an indispensable, beautifully preserved reference work for collectors of antique maps and scholars of historical geography alike.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: John Bartholomew

Book Publisher: Macmillan and Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Maps & Manuscripts

Genre: Geography

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 84

Book Publication Year: 1890

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Half-Leather over Pebble-Grain Cloth

Illustrator: John Bartholomew

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.