The Album de Statistique Graphique ('Graphic Statistics Album of 1890-1891') is a groundbreaking work in the field of statistical cartography, offering an innovative approach to visualizing data. As the twelfth edition published by the Ministry of Transportation, this volume continues the tradition of integrating statistical analysis with cartographic representation, a method that was pioneered in France by Charles Joseph Minard and refined by statisticians of the late 19th century.
The album contains 21 meticulously crafted plates, including 9 plates that provide essential statistical overviews. Compared to previous editions, this volume introduces a series of special plates that employ novel techniques in statistical representation.
The maps in this atlas cover a broad range of economic and infrastructural topics, primarily focusing on transportation networks and industrial activity.
- Railways: Several maps detail the financial and operational performance of French railways in 1889, including gross and net kilometric revenues, passenger numbers, and freight tonnage. Additionally, there are maps comparing railway lengths across various countries and showcasing express train speeds using chronotachometer data. Complementing these, a map on the tonnage of waterways and ports highlights the significance of inland transport.
- Navigation Maritime: This section includes maps that illustrate the condition of major global seaports, coastal trade movements in France, and the tonnage and value of imported and exported goods in principal French ports from 1876 to 1889.
- National Roads: A map presents economic data related to road construction and maintenance, showing the average wages of workers and the cost of materials in 1889.
- Parisian Traffic: This section provides insight into urban transport in Paris, with maps displaying passenger movement statistics, usage of omnibuses, tramways, boats, and railway stations, as well as suburban transit operations.
- Industrial Accidents: A unique inclusion is a statistical map of industrial accidents in Germany for 1887, reflecting the impact of labor laws introduced in 1884.
What makes this album particularly significant is its contribution to the evolution of thematic mapping. The maps and charts within effectively communicate complex socioeconomic and infrastructural data through clear and engaging visuals. The precision in execution reflects the advancements in lithographic printing and statistical methodology of the time.
For collectors, historians, and especially enthusiasts of early data visualization, the Album de Statistique Graphique is an invaluable artifact. It not only showcases the ingenuity of 19th-century statisticians but also serves as a testament to the enduring power of graphical representation in conveying statistical insights.
