Uppdrattr Islands

This scarce and extremely important folding map of Iceland is based on the first scientific survey of the island by Bjorn Gunnlaugsson which took place over 12 years from 1831-43. Although the map is dated 1844, this is actually the date of the completion of the survey. It would be another 4 years before Gunnlaugsson's work could be converted into a map by Olaf Nikolas Olsen, Director of the Danish Topographical Office. The resulting large map, published in 1848 in 4 sheets with an accompanying sheet of explanatory text, was the first to map Iceland in a cartographically scientific manner. Despite being an academic triumph, this 5-sheet map was considered unwieldy and unusable, paving the way for a smaller second edition in 1849. Our map is an example of this smaller second edition, the first scientific single-sheet map of Iceland.

Skilled lithography and delicate hand colouring is used to illustrate the island's topography. Lava fields, wooded areas, pasture land, and sandy deserts are amongst the terrain types noted on the map. Glaciers, hills, and volcanoes are specifically delineated with hachuring. Churches, farms, towns, hot springs, and ruins are also marked.

Original hand colour. Folded.