Cornell University Library Digital Collections

The British Empire [in 490 degrees]

Title:
The British Empire [in 490 degrees]
Full Title:
Chart of the World On Mercators Projection, Showing The Extent and Distribution of the British Empire
Collection:
Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
Creator:
Bartholomew, John, 1831-1893
Date:
1890
Date posted:
2015-08-25
ID Number:
1103.01
Identifier:
PJM_1103_01.jpg
Subject:
Deception/Distortion
Imperialism
Extent:
(cm, H x W) 29 x 42
Collector's Notes:
This otherwise ordinary map of the British Empire is identical to scores of others produced during the 19th century except for one thing: it displays 490 degrees of longitude for a 360 degree world. As a result, British colonies in New Zealand, Australia and India are each shown twice, once in the East and again in the West, and the apparent size of the Empire is artificially increased.
On any cylindrical map projection, like the Mercator projection shown here, meridians appear as vertical lines. While such maps customarily show only 360 degrees of latitude, the rectangular shape of the map allows the presentation of more territory -- that is, presenting the same land twice -- without making the distortion obvious. This technique was used repeatedly by Bartholomew: see ID # 1149 (380 degrees); ID # 1130 (400 degrees); ID ## 1101, 1166 (420 degrees); and by others, see ID #2179 (450 degrees).
Note:
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact
Source:
Bartholomew, John 1890. The Library Reference Atlas of the World. London: MacMillan and Co.
References:
For full details on references, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/references.
Rights:
For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.

About the collection

This is a collection of “persuasive” cartography: maps intended primarily to influence the opinion of the viewer -- to send a message -- rather than to communicate geographic information. The collection reflects a variety of persuasive tools: allegorical, satirical and pictorial mapping; selective inclusion or exclusion; unusual projections, graphics and text; and intentional deception. Maps in the collection address a wide range of messages: religious, political, military, commercial, moral and social.