Reduced version of Wyld's map of the world on Mercator's Projection, here separately issued and backed on linen.

This reduced version of Wyld’s map of the world on Mercator’s projection was sometimes included in later editions of his “New General Atlas”; it was an addition to the larger map usually present in the work although in later versions it sometimes appeared on its own. It was possibly added to show the world on a Pacific centric geographical setting to contrast it with the earlier, larger map which showed the Atlantic at its centre.

Due to its size, the map lacks detail and was more often used to provide an overview of new discoveries and geo-political changes. This example bears a date of 1877 on the lower centre margin outside of the printed surface; hence its inclusion of a faint outline of the great lakes of Victoria and Albert in Africa, Alaska is now coloured corresponding to the United States following its purchase from Russia in 1867 and Britain is now shown with substantial possessions in Myanmar after the Second Anglo-Burmese War. Although it is not stated on the map, it is apparent that the colour red is used to show British possessions or protectorates. 

Original colour. [WLD4717].