Folio. 41 engraved double-page maps outlined in color. (Some marginal soiling and spotting.) Original half dark brown morocco gilt, gilt-lettered upper cover, spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands gilt, gilt-lettering in 2, all edges gilt (rebacked preserving original spine, fore-corners repaired).

Johnston was a prominent Scottish geographer and cartographer who made significant contributions to the field of thematic mapping. In 1850, he published "The National Atlas of Historical, Commercial and Political Geography," which was an expanded version of his earlier work from 1843. This atlas was a comprehensive compilation of maps and geographical information, covering various aspects of global geography, including historical, commercial, and political themes. Johnston's work was highly regarded for its accuracy and scope, earning him recognition as the Geographer Royal.