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Sebastian Munster (1489-1552) was one of the first great cartographers, working in the era before the Dutch “modern” cartographers such as Mercator and Ortelius. He studiously compiled the best information available in the sixteenth century, corresponding with scholars all around Europe and visiting book fairs and libraries whenever possible. Munster issued many influential maps in his editions of Ptolemy’s Geographia and his own Cosmographia which were published beginning in 1540.
A hnadsome map from 'the first modern atlas, Abraham Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, or Theater of the World. The publication of this atlas marked an epoch in the history of cartography, for it is the first uniform and systematic collection of maps of the whole world based only on contemporary knowledge since the days of Ptolemy. Through his collecting and his antiques business, Ortelius was able to research contemporary maps, becoming the greatest expert of his day in the bibliography of maps. Ortelius based his work on the best maps available, drawing all the maps himself with the celebrated Frans Hogenberg cutting most of the plates. Unlike other atlas-makers, Ortelius cited the authors of the original maps from which he compiled his work. $350
Girolamo Porro after Giovanni Magini. "Germania." Cologne: Peter Keschedt, 1597. From Giovanni Magini's Geographiae Universaetum Tum Veteris Tum Novae. 5 x 6 5/8. Engraving. Full margins. Very good condition.
Girolamo Porro's modern rendition of Germany, issued in Giovanni Magini's translation of Ptolemy's Geography. Rivers and towns, appear with a good degree of accuracy. The decorative features of the map include bold calligraphy and illustrated mountains, cities and forests. A nice early map of Germany from the end of the sixteenth century. $175
Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) ranks as one of the greatest cartographers in history, not only for the extremely fine maps he produced, but also for the innovations which he introduced into cartographic science. Through his constant accumulation of new geographic and cosmological data, Mercator was able to produce the most accurate and current maps of his day, which unlike most of his contemporaries’ maps were mostly original work. These are fine examples of the Mercator maps of Germany from the 1609 and 1613 editions of his Atlas.
A highly detailed maps from series of wonderfully decorative regional maps the Blaeu firm of Amsterdam. The firm was the largest and most important cartographic publishing firms in the world, run by Willem Blaeu and then his sons Cornelis (until his death in 1642) and Jan. The maps issued by the Blaeu firm are known for their fine craftsmanship and design, and have been called "the highest expression of Dutch cartographical art." This map shows the Saint Mary Canal, also called the Eugeniana Canal or, more commonly, the "New Canal," which was intended to link the Rhine with the Maas River. Highly decorative cartouches and coats-of-arms, all colored beautifully at the period, lend this map an excellent decorative appeal. $350
L. De La Rochette. "A Map of the German Empire Divided into its Circles to which is added The Kingdom of Prussia." London: Bowles & Carver and R. Wilkinson, 1785. Separately issued, folding map: dissected into 40 sections and mounted on linen. 40 x 47 1/2. Engraving. Small spot in title cartouche. Otherwise, excellent condition. With label indicating sold by William Faden.
A large scale map of the German Empire by Louis De La Rochette. Extensive detail of towns, rivers, forests, roads, political divisions and more is presented with fine, careful engraving. Of particular note is the wonderful, elaborate title cartouche. This shows two German soldiers, some ordnance, and the two headed eagle. $575
F. J. Heger. "A Map of the Post Roads of Germany, and the Adjacent States." London: William Faden, June 1, 1795. Separately issued, folding map: dissected into 32 sections and mounted on linen. 30 1/4 x 37. Engraving. Full, original hand color. Some slight lifting of paper from linen at edges, but overall very good condition. With original slip case with printed label.
This map shows excellent detail of the road system in Germany, as well as the Low Countries, Switzerland, Poland, and the northern part of Austria-Hungary. Each political entity is depicted in a different color, explained in a table in the lower left. The map distinguished between the roads of different types of posts, for instance those which have conveyances which travelers could use, those with and without relays, those for letters only, etc. The frequency of the post is also noted, and symbols indicate Academies and "Cities of the Empire." $450
Anthony Finley. "Prussia." From A New General Atlas. Philadelphia: A. Finley, 1827. 8 3/4 x 11 3/8. Small folio. Engraving by Young & Delleker. Original full hand coloring. With spots and discolorations, mostly in margins. Else, very good condition.
In the 1820's, Anthony Finley produced a series of fine atlases in the then leading American cartographic center, Philadelphia. Finley's work is a good example of the quality that American publishers were beginning to attain. Elegantly presented, with crisp and clear engraving and attractive pastel hand shading, topographical and political information is copious, including counties, towns, rivers, roads, etc. Finley was very concerned to depict the most up-to-date information possible; thus his maps present an accurate picture of the world in the early decades of the nineteenth century. $50
Maps by Thomas Ewing. From Ewing's New General Atlas. Edinburgh: Olver & Boyd, ca. 1830. 9 1/2 x 7 1/2. Engraving by J.& G. Menzies. Original hand color. Very good condition.
A pair of rare maps from Thomas Ewing's New General Atlas. Ewing issued a number of editions of this fine quarto atlas in the first part of the nineteenth century, containing attractive maps of countries around the world. Published in Ediburgh, the maps were precisely engraved by J.& G. Menzies, who were noted engravers who worked for a number of publishers. The maps contain good detail and careful hatchuring to graphically represent topography. The hand coloring adds a nice flourish to these maps, which are good examples of British mapmaking at a time when it dominated the cartographic world.
A fine map of Germany and Austria. This map was issued in 1850, and shows this region at an interesting period in its history, filled with myriad topographical details, including rivers, towns, political borders and indications of major mountains. The maps issued by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. always showed excellent information on growing road and railroad networks, and this map is no exception. $90
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