Johnson's Australia Map, 1864

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Johnson’s Australia Map, USA Published c.1864 – Decorative Hand-Colored Map This is a finely engraved and hand-colored map titled Johnson’s … Read more Johnson’s Australia Map, USA Published c.1864 – Decorative Hand-Colored Map This is a finely engraved and hand-colored map titled Johnson’s Australia published by Johnson and Ward in New York, circa 1864. It shows the political divisions of Australia as understood in mid-19th century American cartography, including West Australia, North Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. The map is notable for its decorative border, typical of Johnson atlases, with interlaced geometric and floral motifs framing the image. The colonies are shaded in pastel pink, green, and tan colors. Cities, settlements, rivers, mountain ranges, and coastal features are clearly marked, including Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Hobart Town. Offshore islands such as Tasmania and surrounding smaller islands are also shown. There is an extensive list of counties and references in the lower and right margins. Johnson and Ward were leading American publishers of maps and atlases in the mid-19th century. Their works combined clear geographic information with decorative appeal. Maps of Australia by Johnson are valued for documenting the colonial divisions before Australian federation in 1901. Condition report: Good condition. Strong impression with bright original hand coloring. Light general age toning and a few small spots or handling marks in the margins, typical for antique atlas maps. Some tears in the borders. Wide margins and plate mark intact. Framing suggestion: Frame with a simple dark wood or black frame and an archival off-white mat to highlight the pastel coloring and decorative border. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the paper quality and prevent fading. See less