Southern Regions; [Published in Colton's General Atlas, 1861 as No. XIII]

New York: J. H. Colton & Co, 1855. First State, later printing. Very Good. [14x11in Neatline, 17.5x14.25in Sheet]; Map with distinctive Colton borders of discovered Antarctic features of few land features and the ice covered coast line as of 1855 from reports of explorers; Some age-toning and light stains along edges [Rumsey Collection 2441.009]. The Southern Regions map was initially drawn and engraved for publication in Colton's General Atlas of 1855. Colton reissued atlases in different formats, pagination and collation over the years. This map was from the 1861 issue and distinctive in the roman numerals format and number placement. The map has not been altered since 1855.

The details on the map are from six explorations over a 70 year period from 1773 to 1843. The continent of Antarctica was completely unknown prior to James Cook's second voyage of the Resolution and Adventure 1772-1775. Others followed fifty years later Bellinghausen, 1820, Briscoe 1831-32, Kemp 1833, Wilkes 1940, and Ross 1840-43 to add to the body of knowledge on Antarctica. The map inccorectly notes that the Wilkes United Atates Exploring Expedition discovered the Antarctic continent with the disputed siting of land.