Western & Eastern Hemisphere Maps – World Double Hemisphere Engravings 1857
€ 480
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 outline hand coloring used to differentiate national boundaries and enhance readability. The engraving is finely executed w
Sheet size
37.5 × 45.4 cm (14.8 × 17.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05552-5, -6
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: Both maps are in excellent condition with minimal age toning, no tears or repairs, and strong, crisp impressions. Colors remain fresh and paper is firm throughout.
About this sheet
Western & Eastern Hemisphere Maps – World Double Hemisphere Engravings 1857
These beautiful antique prints show two complementary hemispheric maps titled “Westliche Halbkugel” (Western Hemisphere) and “Oestliche Halbkugel” (Eastern Hemisphere). The Western Hemisphere map presents North and South America in fine detail, including the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean islands, and South America down to Tierra del Fuego. It also includes Polynesia across the Pacific, with labeled island groups reflecting mid-19th-century geographical knowledge.
The Eastern Hemisphere map depicts Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia with clarity, showing political boundaries as they were recognized in 1857. Notable features include detailed coastlines, major rivers and mountain ranges, the delineation of colonial territories in Africa, and the extent of Russia across Siberia. Australia is labeled with its colonial divisions, and Southeast Asia is clearly defined, reflecting European perspectives of the time.
Both maps were engraved and published in 1857 in Gotha by Justus Perthes as part of Adolf Stieler’s famous Hand-Atlas. Stieler’s atlases were renowned for their accuracy, clarity, and elegance, used widely by scholars and travelers throughout the 19th century.
These maps are significant as they represent mid-19th-century cartography at its finest, capturing geopolitical realities before major events such as German unification or the Scramble for Africa reshaped borders.
Condition summary: Both maps are in excellent condition with minimal age toning, no tears or repairs, and strong, crisp impressions. Colors remain fresh and paper is firm throughout.
Framing tips: Frame these maps as a matching pair in identical dark wood or ebonised frames to create a powerful decorative display. Use wide ivory or cream mounts to provide a clean margin around each hemisphere. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve colors and fine engraved detail for long-term enjoyment.
