schematic map of the rail and canal routes throughout France, scaled according the volume of traffic, lithographed map with original hand-colouring, 820 x 625mm., dissected and linen-backed, signed by Minard upper right, surface dirt, a crease through upper left text panel, Paris, Regnier et Dourdet, 1857. Charles Joseph Minard (1781-1870) is considered one of the founders of modern graphic design for conveying statistical information. His work in this field increased significantly following his retirement as superintendent of the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, and inspector of the Corps des Ponts, in 1851.