The
Society For the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge or SDUK produced
two landmark publications
in cartography in the first half of the 19th
century. The first volume concentrated on areas of the old world, Europe,
Africa, Great Britain etc. The second volume contained maps
of
the new world, America, South Asia, including US state maps, colonies of
Australia, South Africa, South America etc. Also included
were
some of the finest engraved and hand colored town and city plans published
at that time.
The SDUK was published in its entirety or in part by
many publishers including Baldwin and Cradock 1829-32,
Chapman & Hall in 1844,
Charles Knight & co. 1846 - 1852. G. Cox published the SDUK between
1852-3, Stanford 1857-70 and later revised edition were also
published after Stanford.