Maps Abound

To make a lithograph, an artist draws onto a stone with an oily, ink-receptive crayon or similar substance. The stone is then inked, rinsed, and pressed onto a piece of paper. Prior to the 19th century, mapmakers used engraved copper plates or woodblocks to print their work. These could begin to wear down after a few dozen impressions. Lithography stones, by contrast, can produce hundreds of images, allowing printers to produce more images inexpensively. Maps and atlases became increasingly common features in both educational and domestic settings, with printers recognizing a lucrative market for general users as well as professional navigators.