1864 Map of Africa by Johnson & Ward

Johnson’s Africa (1864), published by Alvin J. Johnson and Benjamin P. Ward, is a richly hand-coloured lithograph that marked the firm’s inaugural atlas under the new Johnson & Ward partnership. Printed across two plates and adorned with the Johnson’s signature fretwork border, the map presents the African continent with adjoining Arabia and the Mediterranean, combining vibrant political colouring with finely engraved relief in hachures. It incorporates the latest geographic discoveries of the mid-19th century—most notably the accurate depiction of Lake Victoria and Mount Kilimanjaro—while still reflecting incomplete knowledge of the interior. Insets of Liberia, the Nile Delta, Cape Colony, the Cape Verde Islands, and St. Helena, underscore both geographic and cultural focal points. By using both Greenwich and Washington meridians, and replacing older Colton models with updated coastal surveys, the map reflects Johnson’s mission to democratize access to modern cartography for an American audience. Issued during the era of African exploration and rising colonial interest, Johnson’s Africa stands as both a visual record of contemporary discovery and a milestone in 19th-century American atlas publishing.

This map is a reproduction of a historical map that is now in the public domain. It has been selected for its aesthetic appeal and historical interest and carefully restored and reproduced to preserve its original detail and character.  There may be marks and fold lines visible which add to the authentic look.  The map is printed on 230gsm heavyweight coated paper with a matte finish.  Most old maps were printed on uncoated rag or wood pulp papers and therefore a matte finish best represents the original map.