[WORLD IN TWO HEMISPHERES] New York: Charles W. Morse and Samuel N. Gaston, 1857. Original wax-engraved map, with original hand color from The Diamond Atlas. Two sheets, joined. (Image: 6 x 9 7/8’’)
This map of The World shows the two hemispheres surrounded by decorative borders. The continents are named and in contrasting colors. Several countries and major cities are also located.
Alaska is shown as “Russian Territory” and the North Pole and South Pole are noted as “Unexplored”.
The wax-engraving method was developed by Sidney E. Morse (brother of Samuel F. B. Morse - inventor of the telegraph). Wax engraving was “a major techno-logical breakthrough that greatly influenced American commercial map and atlas production in the U.S.” (Schwartz: Mapping of America, p. 265). This map is an early example of the process.
Presented in an archival 12 x 16'' mat
