World Principal Mountains and Rivers, a comparative chart by Darton & Gardner, 1823

Description

“New and Improved View of the Comparative Heights of the Principal Mountains and Lengths of the Principal Rivers In The World, The whole Judiciously arranged from the various Authorities Extant. By W.R. Gardner. London: William Darton, 58 Holborn Hill, 10 Mo. 23rd, 1823. W.R. Gardner Sculpt. 367 Strand.”

This chart by Darton & Gardner is the first known example of a comparative chart to depict both mountains and rivers in the same plate. This innovative cartographic style would flourish throughout the remainder of the 19th century. On the lower right is the comparative mountains section which details the principal mountains of the world. The peaks are colour coded to illustrate different types of vegetation and numerically referenced to the information tables below. The elevations of several principal cities are also included, as well as notations on vegetation and volcanic activity. Himalayan peak Dhaulagiri is identified as the world’s greatest mountain. Also curiously noted the hot air balloon flight by Gay-Lussac in 1808 who reached the altitude of 7000 meters. The upper left part of the chart is dominated by the world’s greatest rivers, together with notes to their course and sources, lakes, major cities & directions, and distance measurements. The Amazon is identified as the world’s greatest river at some 3600 miles, followed by the Mississippi at 3530 miles. The original chart is extremely scarce.

William Darton (February 2, 1881 – July 28, 1854) was an English publisher and engraver active in Tottenham, London during the early part of the 19th century. Darton was the eldest son of William Darton Sr., himself a printer and publisher who co-owned the firm of Harvey and Darton. Darton, a Quaker, was educated at the Friends School in Clerkenwell, London and the Ackworth School in Yorkshire. Afterwards Darton apprenticed to his father where he mastered the part of printing and engraving. Around 1804 Darton opened his own shop, the “Repertory of Genius”, specializing in maps, prints, children’s books, educational publications, and other “works of merit” at 50 Holborn Hill, London. Cartographically Darton’s most significant contribution is his 1823 publication, along with engraver W. R Gardner, of the first composite comparative mountains and rivers chart. Darton also published various maps for the 1802 Atlas to Walker’s Geography and his own 1813 Union Atlas. Darton retired in 1851 leaving his business to his son, John Maw Darton, who partnered with Samuel Clark and published as “Darton and Clark”.

William R. Gardner (fl. c. 1810 – c. 1850) was and English engraver active in London during the first half of the 19th century. His offices were at 867 Strand Street, London. Gardner worked with many of the most prominent London publishers of his day including Charles Smith and William Darton. His most significant contribution to the world of cartography is his 1823 publication, along with publisher William Darton, of the first composite comparative mountains and rivers chart.

This poster is a high quality “giclee” reproduction of a restored antique original, custom-printed on Standard Single-weight Matt Coated art paper 140gsm or  Heavyweight Matt Coated art paper 230gsm (more of a thin card density), or superb Epson Matt Canvas 320gsm, according to your choice. We use the latest UltraChromeHDX pigment inks which guarantee 60 years of colour  permanence (up to 200 years fade-proof for colour prints).  This poster is suitable for mounting and framing, as well as direct display on a wall.

IMPORTANT: If you are going to frame this print we recommend art paper 230gsm or canvas 320gsm. The 140gsm art paper option makes sense if you wish to DIY-frame or to tack the poster to a wall without framing, due to it being lighter and more flexible. All three options are giclee prints of the same high quality.

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