As a Concise and Intelligent Epitome of the World, The Popular Atlas Supplies a Long Felt Want. Map of Massachusetts. Rhode Island. Connecticut.
- Title:
- As a Concise and Intelligent Epitome of the World, The Popular Atlas Supplies a Long Felt Want. Map of Massachusetts. Rhode Island. Connecticut.
- Alternate Title:
- The Popular Atlas
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Mast, Crowell & Kirkpatrick
- Date:
- 1892
- Posted Date:
- 2024-04-25
- ID Number:
- 2546.01
- File Name:
- PJM_2546_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1870 - 1899
- Subject:
- Advertising & Promotion
Unusual Graphics/Text - Measurement:
- 33 x 51 on sheet 47 x 60 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- Maps have often been used to promote the sale of unrelated products, including shoes, soap, horses, railroads, wood stoves, gold mines, sewing machines, shotguns and cigars. (For these and other examples, Search > Promotion.) This is an example of a map used to promote an atlas, specifically, a map of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut used on a broadside promoting the sale of "The Popular Atlas."
What makes this example unusual is the extraordinarily "hard sell" of the text surrounding the map (ID #2546.01) and on the verso (ID #2546.02). "Six Thousand Years of History." "The great mass of information contained in the descriptive and historical pages of the Popular Atlas, constitutes a whole library in itself." "Comprehensive! Accurate! Invaluable!" "Magnificent Illustrations." "Needed in every office, store and home." "An Invaluable Aid to School Children and College Students."
Much of the hard sell relates to the price of the new atlas. "Never before has so valuable an Atlas been offered at so low a price." "A marvel of cheapness - Best Atlas in the world for the price." "It is a fact that never before in the world's history has a good Atlas of the World been offered at a price bringing it within the reach of the masses, and its accomplishment is one of the marvelous events of this inventive age."
In addition, the broadside is aimed at recruiting agents to sell the Atlas. "The Atlas almost sells itself. . . . Energetic agents make more money selling the 'Popular Atlas" that is earned by the average storekeeper or mechanic." Among the appeals, "An Honored Calling . . . Many of the world's most famous men have at times acted as agents for books, by that means increasing their income." Among those listed are George Washington, "General" Grant, Jay Gould, Mark Twain, Longefellow, Daniel Webster, Prince Bismarck, and Napoleon! "Young man, don't be afraid to follow where such men as these have led. They never had a chance to sell such a work as we are offering you. Its sale will open the way to a fortune."
The broadside is undated, but the verso identifies the publisher, Mast, Crowell & Kirkpatrick, and states that the Atlas contains data from the 1890 Census. Based on this information, the most likely publication date was 1892.
For an example of a map broadside promoting a new map, see ID #2093, "The Third Edition of the Navy League Wall Map of the World is Now Ready" (1904).
Cornell University Library is pleased to present this digital collection of Persuasive Maps, the originals of which have been collected and described by the private collector PJ Mode. The descriptive information in the “Collector’s Notes” has been supplied by Mr. Mode and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cornell University. - Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.