Province of Friesland · 18th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Very good condition with light general toning. Minor age marks in margins, well outside the image area. Original hand coloring preserved. Blank verso.
Antique General Map of Friesland by von Reilly, 1791
Original engraved map titled *Friesland*, published in Vienna in 1791. This is the general overview map of the province of Friesland from Franz Joseph Johann von Reilly’s *Schauplatz der fünf Theile der Welt* (“Showplace of the Five Parts of the World”). The sheet covers the entire province, from the Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer) and the Frisian lakes in the south to the Lauwerszee in the north, with its borders marked against Groningen, Drenthe, and Overijssel.
Towns and villages are clearly marked, along with rivers, waterways, and lakes that characterize Friesland’s historic landscape. Districts are outlined in original hand color, with Oostergo and Westergo shown distinctly, making the map not only a useful geographical record but also a decorative representation of the province.
Franz Joseph Johann von Reilly (1766–1820) was a Viennese art dealer, publisher, and cartographer whose *Schauplatz der fünf Theile der Welt* was the first Austrian world atlas project. His work combined cartographic precision with aesthetic appeal, making his maps highly collectible today. The engraving was executed by Ignaz Alberti (1760–1794), a noted Austrian engraver and publisher, who brought clarity and elegance to the series.
This general map is especially significant when paired with the detailed district maps of Friesland, as it provides the full provincial context. Collectors value these maps for their rarity, their historical perspective on Friesland’s geography, and their fine Austrian engraving style.
Condition report: Very good condition with light general toning. Minor age marks in margins, well outside the image area. Original hand coloring preserved. Blank verso.
Framing tips: A dark wooden or black frame paired with an ivory or cream mat will bring out the engraved detail. For a cohesive set, framing this map together with the detailed district sheets can create an impressive provincial series.
Technique: Engraving with original hand color
Maker: Franz Joseph Johann von Reilly, engraved by Ignaz Alberti, Vienna, 1791
