Atlas of Finland

Name: Atlas of Finland
Brand: ralphandhelen
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Large brown cloth-bound Atlas of Finland, published by The Geographical Society of Finland, featuring a gilt Finnish crest.

Estimated value

$150 - $600

Rarity

Uncommon(5/10)

ATLAS OF FINLAND: IDENTIFICATION

This appears to be a large-format atlas titled "Atlas of Finland," published by "The Geographical Society of Finland." The cover is a sturdy, bound board, suggesting it is a significant cartographic work. Atlases of this period are often compiled with meticulous detail, providing a snapshot of geographical, demographic, and economic conditions of a nation at a specific time.

Compare with other books in the archive: Charles Dickens - Barnaby Rudge (The Standard Library Company Edition, circa 1890-1910), The True Briton, No. LII (December 30, 1723).

EDITION & PUBLISHING HISTORY

The concept of a national atlas, particularly in the early to mid-20th century, was an important undertaking for newly independent or emerging nations to define and document their territory and resources. Finland, having gained independence in 1917, produced several significant national atlases, which served not only scientific and educational purposes but also as statements of national identity and sovereignty. The publishing entity, The Geographical Society of Finland, points to a scholarly and authoritative production.

COLLECTOR NOTES

Finland has a history of cartography, with its 'Atlas of Finland' series being one of the world's oldest and most respected national atlases, first published in parts starting in 1899.

SCARCITY

Uncommon70-80%

CommonLegendary

Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.

Rarity 5/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 2 books items at rarity 5 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Limited production
Named makers
Growing collector demand

Confidence Factors

Clearly identifiable title and publisher on the cover.
Form and material are consistent with atlases of the stated era.
No common history of forgery for this type of academic atlas.

How does authenticity detection work?

BIBLIOPHILE'S ASSESSMENT

Rare Book Dealer & Bibliographer

Bibliographer

Confidence is good as the cover clearly identifies the object as an 'Atlas of Finland' by a specific geographical society. However, without access to internal pages, specific edition, printing, and exact date remain unconfirmed, which influences the precision of the valuation.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Folio-sized, cloth-bound volume.
2Cover text clearly states 'Atlas of Finland'.
3Publisher identified as 'The Geographical Society of Finland'.
4Presence of the Finnish lion rampant crest suggests an official or national publication.

UNCERTAINTIES

•Lack of visible publication date or edition information without opening the book.
•No visible spine information, which could contain further bibliographic details.
•The condition of the cover suggests potential internal damage not visible here.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Photograph the title page, copyright page, and verso of the title page to ascertain author, full title, publisher, place, year, and edition/printing points.
→Capture images of the spine, both front and back boards, and page edges to assess overall binding integrity and condition more thoroughly.
→Check for any internal inscriptions, bookplates, or stamps that might indicate provenance.
→Note the paper quality and look for any signs of foxing, toning, or damp stain on the interior pages.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

The binding shows considerable wear, with scuffing, staining, and some loss of surface material, particularly visible on the front cover. The edges and corners appear bumped and abraded. Without viewing the spine or interior, one can only surmise that the internal pages may suffer from foxing or some degree of damp staining, common in atlases of this age with compromised external condition.