Southern Africa & Madagascar Antique Map – Beautiful 1857 Edition
€ 370
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1857
Technique
Copperplate engraving with original hand coloring used to delineate territorial boundaries and regions with clarity. German titles and detailed annotations are
Sheet size
37.5 × 45.4 cm (14.8 × 17.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05552-50
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Condition summary: Excellent condition with strong impression, minimal age toning, and no tears, repairs, or significant foxing. Colors remain vivid and paper is firm and stable.
About this sheet
Southern Africa and Madagascar Map 1857
This detailed antique print shows “Süd-Africa mit Madagascar” meaning “Southern Africa with Madagascar,” published in 1857 by Justus Perthes in Gotha as part of Adolf Stieler’s renowned Hand-Atlas. The map was drawn and engraved under the direction of F. v. Stülpnagel.
It covers Southern Africa from Angola and Mozambique down to the Cape of Good Hope, including territories such as Cape Colony, Natal, and the Orange Free State. Tribal regions, colonial territories, rivers, and mountain ranges are clearly shown, alongside towns such as Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Lourenço Marques (Maputo). The large island of Madagascar is depicted in detail, with its mountain ranges and coastal settlements marked.
This map is significant for its depiction of Southern Africa during a period of expanding European colonial interest and pre-Scramble for Africa exploration. It shows early Boer settlements, Portuguese colonial holdings in Mozambique and Angola, and outlines tribal regions prior to the formal partitioning of Africa in the later 19th century. Madagascar is presented with German-named features and detailed coastlines reflecting European geographical knowledge of the era.
Condition summary: Excellent condition with strong impression, minimal age toning, and no tears, repairs, or significant foxing. Colors remain vivid and paper is firm and stable.
Framing tips: This Southern Africa and Madagascar map will display beautifully in a dark wood or black frame to enhance its historical and geographical presence. Pair with a wide ivory or cream mount to balance its intricate composition and highlight fine engraved details. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the engraving lines and original coloring for long-term display.
