Ancient Spain and Portugal - Philip Smith 1838 Ref. MP4
This interesting map was produced by Philip Smith, for the 'Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain)' The SDUK, as the Society was known, produced inexpensive maps to encourage broad use in education. The maps in two volumes were issued in parts over several years.
The full title was 'Ancient Spain & Portugal, Hispania or Iberia'. By Philip Smith, Univ. Coll., London. Published under the superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. J. & C. Walker, sculpt. London, published by Chapman & Hall, 186, Strand, Decr. 1st. 1838
It is an engraved map, measuring 37.5 cm x 28cm, the relief shown by hachures. Provincial borders are hand coloured. A 'plate' mark is evident from the pressure of the copper plate during printing. No centre-fold is shown.
look at the reverse of the map and notice that the green colouring used has penetrated to the back.
The early green colouring, or 'verdegris' is a copper acetate, and was historically produced in vineyards. Sheets of copper were layered with fermented grape skins and dregs and left exposed to air. The chemical reaction would leave a blue substance on the outside of the sheets of copper. This was then scraped off and dissolved in water. The result was the basic compound for green pigment. As with all copper based materials oxidation is apparent in due course. Aged green colouring on paper causes oxidation traces and when sufficiently exposed to the elements may turn into the colour brown. Depending on the thickness of the paper and how well the atlas or map was conserved, traces of oxidation are detectable by looking at the back [verso] of the map.
Please note, I am NOT a qualified archaeologist/antiquarian and the description I have given is based on research of the subject.
This is a genuine antique. The classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE. There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.
Price R350.00 Post R100.00
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