Historic 1857 Map of North-East Africa & Arabia – Fine Engraving
€ 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 borders and territorial divisions in subtle hues. German titles and detailed annotations ar
Sheet size
37.5 × 45.4 cm (14.8 × 17.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05552-49
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
North-East Africa and Arabia Map 1857
This detailed antique print shows “Mittel- und Nord-Afrika (östl.Theil) und Arabien” meaning “Central and North Africa (eastern part) and Arabia,” published in 1857 by Justus Perthes in Gotha as part of Adolf Stieler’s esteemed Hand-Atlas. The map was created under the cartographic direction of F. v. Stülpnagel.
It covers North-East Africa including Egypt, Sudan, Nubia, Abyssinia (Ethiopia), and the Red Sea coast, alongside the Arabian Peninsula with Hejaz, Yemen, Oman, and Persian Gulf regions. Major features include the Nile River from its delta southward, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Persian Gulf, and key cities such as Cairo, Mecca, Medina, Muscat, and Aden.
An inset map at lower right shows “Habesch” (Abyssinia/Ethiopia) in greater detail with mountain ranges, river systems, and provinces labeled precisely, reflecting European exploration interests in the Horn of Africa during the mid-19th century.
This map is significant for its depiction of regions central to European trade, pilgrimage routes, and geopolitical interests in the mid-1800s, prior to the construction of the Suez Canal (completed 1869). It reflects a period of expanding European knowledge of Africa’s interior and Arabian geography.
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 North-East Africa and Arabia map will look striking in a dark wood or black frame to emphasize its historical and geographical presence. Pair with a wide ivory or cream mount to balance its composition and highlight fine engraved details. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the engraving lines and original coloring for long-term display.
