Mountain Elevation Profiles – Alps, Pyrenees, Andes & World Heights 1857
€ 360
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 to highlight elevation contours and mountain shapes. German titles and detailed annotations are engraved with
Sheet size
37.5 × 45.4 cm (14.8 × 17.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05552-10
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 minimal toning, no tears, repairs, or significant foxing. Colors remain clear and fresh. Paper is firm and stable.
About this sheet
Mountain Elevation Profiles – Alps, Pyrenees, Andes & World Heights 1857
This intriguing antique print shows comparative elevation profiles titled “Die bekannteren Höhen über der Meeresfläche in vergrösserten Profilen,” meaning “The better-known heights above sea level in enlarged profiles.” It features three main diagrams:
– Top: Profile of the Alps from Northern Germany to Southern Italy, showing major peaks such as Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and the Jungfrau, with elevations marked precisely. – Middle: Profile of the Swiss Alps and neighboring ranges with detailed annotations of peaks and valleys. – Bottom: Comparative profiles of non-European mountains including the Andes in South America and African peaks, alongside further Alpine and Pyrenean elevations.
Published in 1857 by Justus Perthes in Gotha as part of Adolf Stieler’s famous Hand-Atlas, these engravings were prepared under the editorial supervision of Heinrich Berghaus, known for his scientific cartography and thematic maps.
This print is significant for its scientific presentation of global mountain heights during a period when comparative geography and natural sciences were advancing rapidly. Such profiles allowed scholars and travelers to visualize and understand altitudinal differences between European mountains and other world ranges, enhancing education in physical geography.
Condition summary: Excellent condition with minimal toning, no tears, repairs, or significant foxing. Colors remain clear and fresh. Paper is firm and stable.
Framing tips: This elevation profile engraving will look impressive in a dark wood or black frame to emphasize its scientific detail, paired with a wide cream or light ivory mount to soften and balance the presentation. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve its fine engraved lines and original color clarity for long-term display.
