= These maps are renowned for their stripped-down stylishness [and] stunning accuracy and are highly accurate for their time and distinctively innovative and therefore especially attractive to collectors. Volume one and two, each containing 80 maps - 160 in total, numbered 1-160 in the index. A total of 212 maps were separately issued, including a 'principal rivers map', city-plans and 6 celestial maps - these were never part of these volumes. All maps were separately issued by the Society from 1829 to this publication date of 1844 and could be obtained at wish from the publishers. The atlas Maps of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge is renowned for its exceptional accuracy and forward-thinking cartography. Produced under the guidance of leading figures such as hydrographer Francis Beaufort, these maps were created with a level of precision and attention to detail that placed them among the finest geographic works of the 19th century. Even today, they are widely regarded as some of the most accurate and carefully designed maps of their era. What makes this atlas particularly unique is its purpose and method of publication. Issued in parts between 1829 and 1844 and later compiled into a comprehensive atlas of over 200 maps, it was designed to make high-quality geographic knowledge accessible to a broader audience rather than just elites. This combination of scholarly rigor and educational mission resulted in maps that are not only informative but also elegant and visually refined. As a result, the atlas stands out as a pioneering work-both a milestone in the democratization of knowledge and a remarkably detailed cartographic achievement-making it highly desirable for collectors seeking both historical significance and aesthetic quality.