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Ethnographic Map of the World by A.K. Johnston ? Races of Man Chart 1852 This antique map titled "Ethnographic Map of the World Showing the Present Distribution of the Leading Races of Man" was created by Alexander Keith Johnston and published in 1852 by William Blackwood & Sons in Edinburgh and London. Issued as Plate 17 in Johnston's *Physical Atlas of Natural Phenomena*, this map reflects 19th-century efforts to visualize human diversity across the globe through early ethnographic theory. The map categorizes the world's populations into ten generalized racial and cultural groupings, each represented in distinct pastel shades. These include classifications such as Indo-European, Semitic, Negro, Mongolian, Malay, American, and others based on contemporary (now outdated) 19th-century anthropological thought. The regions of distribution are shaded accordingly, spanning continents from the Arctic Circle to the islands of the Pacific. A large inset map at the bottom right provides a focused view of Europe, showing greater detail in the distribution of groups such as Slavonic, Germanic, Celtic, Basque, and Finnic peoples. Alongside it is a striking profile diagram illustrating the elevation of Earth's landmasses, tying physical geography to patterns of human settlement. This map, like many from the mid-19th century, combines the empirical ambitions of early anthropology with the visual clarity of scientific cartography. While its categories and terminology are now considered outdated and oversimplified, the chart is an important artifact from the history of ethnography and reflects the European scientific worldview of the time. Alexander Keith Johnston (1804?1871), one of the most respected geographers of his age, created the *Physical Atlas* as an educational tool to help readers understand the natural world and its human patterns through maps. His work remains a landmark in the development of thematic cartography. This plate is a compelling object for collectors of antique maps, anthropology history, or Victorian educational materials, and is often studied for its role in the evolution of ethnographic science. Condition and framing tips: Very good condition with minimal age toning and a clean printed surface. Centerfold as issued. Frame in black or dark oak wood with a neutral ivory or parchment mat to complement the subdued palette and historic typography. Suitable for a library, academic office, or collection of early scientific prints.
Seller Inventory # BG-13207-17
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