Imperial Austrian and Hungarian Coats of Arms – Antique Print, c.1880

€ 220

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

Date: 1880
Mapmaker / artist: H. Ströhl / Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig, circa 1880
Technique: Chromolithograph on thick wove paper
Sheet size: 24.2 × 30.5 cm (9.5 × 12.0 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-04380

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 condition with strong, bright colors and minimal toning. Slight center fold as issued, with no tears or repairs. The plate mark and margins are clean and intact, except for two brown spots in the border, outside the image.

About this sheet

This finely detailed chromolithograph, titled Österreichisch-Ungarische Länderwappen (Coats of Arms of the Austrian-Hungarian Lands), was published around 1880 by the Bibliographisches Institut in Leipzig. It presents the heraldic emblems of the principal states and provinces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, unified under the grand imperial double-headed eagle at the center—the Kleines Reichswappen von Österreich (Lesser Imperial Arms of Austria).

Each armorial shield is meticulously printed in rich color and gilded detail, representing historical regions such as Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Tirol, Galicia, Bukovina, Dalmatia, and Hungary. Above every shield rests an ornate crown corresponding to the title or dignity of the territory—ranging from ducal and royal crowns to the Hungarian Holy Crown of St. Stephen.

The double-headed eagle in the center bears the imperial regalia: sword, orb, and crown, symbolizing the unity of Austria and Hungary within the dual monarchy established in 1867. The composition embodies the political and cultural grandeur of the late Habsburg Empire, celebrating its complex federation of kingdoms and duchies that stretched from the Alps to the Balkans.

This plate was produced for the Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, one of the most comprehensive encyclopedic works of the 19th century, renowned for its high-quality chromolithographic illustrations. The engraving is attributed to H. Ströhl, one of the leading heraldic artists of the period.

Condition report:
Good condition with strong, bright colors and minimal toning. Slight center fold as issued, with no tears or repairs. The plate mark and margins are clean and intact, except for two brown spots in the border, outside the image.

Framing tips:
Best presented in a gold or dark wood frame with a cream or antique-white mat to enhance the richness of the heraldic colors and gold accents. Floating mount recommended to display the full margins and title.