[Adams’ synchronological chart, or map of history]. A chronological chart of ancient, modern and Biblical history synchronized by. . . with maps of the World’s great empires drawn by. . . . by [CHROMOLITHOGRAPHY -- MAPS]. ADAMS, Sebastian C. & Prof. PAINE, J.[ohn] A.[lsop] - 1883.

New York: Colby & Co., 52 Broadway, 1883. Elephant folio. 27.75 x 266 in. divided into 22 colour chromolithograph leaves, backed in linen, accordion-style format, w/ linen hinges, nickel-plated grommets installed at upper fore-edges of leaves for hanging on hooks, wooden brace backing first leaf (some wear, edgewear, a couple old tape repairs, minor lifting & very minor loss to some panels, all varnished as issued, minor tidemark at lower fore-edge throughout). Contained in original publisher’s half-calf over pebbled plum-coloured cloth portfolio, embossed gilt illustration of chart & lettering on front cover, gilt decoration, brass grommets in upper corner to tie with ribbon, or braid, marbled endpapers (minor bumping head & foot of spine, rubbing & wear to corners), still a G copy, of a historically fragile item. Fifth edition, 27th thousand, critically revised & enlarged of this famed example of American Victorian chromolithography, first issued in 1871, which continued to be revised and issued in several editions and formats. These formats included the work being released as a scroll, often an accordion-style panorama, and even individual panels which could be displayed separately on easels. This amazingly organic and complex chart illustrates nearly 6000 years of history, with maps, illustrations, diagrams, timelines which branch off, weave together, and return to the source through the centuries. This 1883 edition differs substantially from the previous printings in the lower margins, with this edition incorporating newly introduced maps, to replace the text which had appeared for the first few panels until the 1881 edition of this work. Adams (1825-1898) was a Presbyterian missionary who trekked over the Oregon Trail in 1850, worked as a surveyor while teaching school in Yamhill County, and founded a college for the Disciples of Christ, but it failed, and the property went to Bethel College. He was a dynamic history instructor, and created the Chronological Chart of History in 1871 in order to make history lessons colourful and dramatic by hanging the chart across the around the classroom in order to inspire students. The chart proved very popular, and Adams began years of lecturing and traveling in order to sell his “Synchronological Chart,” and proved very successful. See: Rosenberg & Grafton, Cartographies of Time: A History of the Timeline (2010); Virginia Green, Sebastian C. Adams (1825-1898), The Oregon Encyclopedia (2017).