Temperance Map

Temperance Map

Wiltberger, John Christian

1938

An early 19th century allegoric map of temperance

This map by Reverend John Christian Wiltberger is one of the earliest cartographic representations of alcohol. Printed in 1838, this allegoric map does not depict real places but the two imaginary continents of Inebriation and Selfdenial. As Susan Schulten puts it, the map “invite[s] readers to navigate sin and temptation” (Schulten 2018, S. 126) and thereby helps them to find their way to righteousness. The map offers abundant details and teaches restrain and abstinence: While in the west we encounter the islands of Good Cheer, Hospitality and Medicine, only the narrow sound of Temperate Drinking keeps us from the Devils Trap that quickly leads to the Sea of Intemperance. Happiness and a good life can only be archived through staying in the lands of Selfdenial, were the towns of Fertility and Enterprise can be found at the foot of Mount Science in the State of Improvement. South of the Sea of Intemperance and the Great Gulf of Wretchedness are the lands of False Hopes, the Beer Lake and the Bay of Remorse.

Alcohol

imaginary

Book

31 x 36cm

Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection

English