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Author: Tunison, Henry Cuthbert
Title: Tunison’s Twentieth Century Series of School Maps
Place Published: Jacksonville, IL
Publisher:H.C. Tunison, Publisher
Date Published: c.1905
Description:

Set of ten color wall maps on wooden rollers, with original shellac. Each approx. 122x91.5 cm (48x36") or reverse, set in original storage case on which is stenciled the title of the set.

A very rare and set of Tunison wall maps of the world and its various regions. The maps are in superb condition - the set was found in storage in an old Iowa schoolhouse, and purchased from the 101 year old son of a former teacher there. Henry Tunison's maps, which were sold are esteemed for attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, and vivid hand color, setting his productions apart from contemporaries like Rand McNally and George Cram. He made his maps easy to distinguish, using a clever mnemonic logo - "2 - Ni - Sun." Although most famous for his Peerless Atlas, Tunison also created a number of wall maps. These included a bird's eye view of the Holy Land, railroad and post office maps, and large maps of individual states. Individual copies of these known maps are rare on the market and may have only been produced in small quantities, according to the number of subscribers rustled up by Tunison's agents through direct sales. Typical of Tunison's elaborate style and superior artistry, the maps are a fantastic representation of the late Victorian era worldview. New sources of information, cartographic and otherwise, were suddenly becoming available from every corner of the world, and his visual combination of maps, charts and diagrams display that data legibly for popular consumption. Their workmanship, and subsequent cost, set them apart at a time when map production was gearing strongly towards quantity over quality.

The maps in the set include:

• Tunison's Map of the World. (Very good condition, exhibiting minor marginal wear along the bottom right edge. Bottom roller is present, but not attached.)
• Tunison's Map of the Eastern Hemisphere. (Very good condition, with some spots of varnish visible.) Includes many insets and diagrams including time zones, heights of buildings and mountains, and polar views.
• Tunison's Map of Africa. (Fine condition.) With inset maps of the Suez Canal and Australia (the latter being an interesting addition). Continental maps of the physical relief and general outline (for tracing) also present, along with images of flora and fauna.
• Tunison's Map of Europe. (Fine condition.) Shows the looming threat of the growing Russian Empire in Europe. Includes views of plants and animals, plus inset maps showing the relief and tracing outline.
• Tunison's Map of Asia. (Very good condition, with some wear in the top margin and spots of concentrated varnish.) Includes views of flora and fauna, plus inset maps showing the relief and a tracing outline of the continent.
• Tunison's Map of the Western Hemisphere. (Fine condition.) Filled with inset charts, maps and diagrams showing comparisons of river length, various map projections, and even popular European currencies (with exchange rates).
• Tunison's Map of South America. (Near fine condition.) Includes lithographed views of animals, plus inset maps showing the physical relief of South America and an outline map for tracing.
• Tunison's Map of North America. (Near fine condition.) Flanked by views of animals and agricultural products, with inset maps of proposed canals in Nicaragua and Panama. Relief and tracing maps present also.
• Tunison's Map of the United States. (Near find condition, with some damage along the upper margin near the roller.) Includes inset maps showing comparative sizes and territorial progression, among others. Also includes views of prominent agricultural products.
• Tunison's Map of Iowa. (Good condition, showing signs of significant wear along the bottom center.) This sectional and township map varies slightly in it's presentation, likely because it was previously designed as part of Tunison's state wall map series.

Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping and/or handling charges may apply.

Very good to fine, condition as noted.