Antique Map of Switzerland, Cantons & Alps, Hand Colored, Blackie, circa 1859

€ 220

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1859
Mapmaker / artist: Blackie & Son, Glasgow, Edinburgh & London, circa 1859
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand color
Sheet size: 37 × 54 cm (14.6 × 21.3 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-12685-1-31

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

Good antique condition. Light age toning and minor scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. Central fold as issued. Plate mark visible. No major tears or losses.

About this sheet

Antique Map of Switzerland, Cantons & Alps, Hand Colored, Blackie, circa 1859

This finely engraved antique map depicts Switzerland in exceptional detail, showing the country divided by cantons with carefully hand-colored boundaries. Mountain ranges, river systems, lakes, towns, and transport routes are meticulously rendered, reflecting mid-19th-century advances in scientific cartography and topographical understanding. The Alpine landscape is shown with particular clarity, making this map both geographically informative and visually striking.

Major cantons such as Bern, Zurich, Lucerne, Vaud, Valais, Ticino, Graubünden, St. Gallen, and Aargau are clearly defined, while important natural features including the Alps, Jura Mountains, Rhine, Rhone, Aare, Reuss, Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, Lake Zurich, and Lake Lucerne are prominently illustrated. The map also shows Switzerland’s borders with France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, situating the country within its broader Central European context.

Published around 1859 by Blackie & Son of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, this map originates from a respected British atlas series known for accuracy, clarity, and refined engraving. The restrained original hand coloring enhances legibility without overpowering the intricate line work, resulting in a balanced and elegant presentation.

Both decorative and scholarly, this map is well suited to collectors of Alpine cartography, Swiss history, or 19th-century European maps. It also works beautifully as wall art for libraries, studies, offices, or refined interiors where a sense of place and historical depth is desired.

Condition report:
Good antique condition. Light age toning and minor scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. Central fold as issued. Plate mark visible. No major tears or losses.

Framing tips:
This map benefits from a generous ivory or soft cream mat to emphasize the detailed engraving. A dark walnut, black, or muted antique gold frame complements the hand coloring and lends a classic, library-style appearance.