About the item: An authentic, large folio format (FOLIO) geographical map from the second half of the 19th century "Ost Europe, Sud Russland..... 1874." – a representative monument of the golden age of German cartography, authored by the renowned German cartographer Adolf Stieler. This work, created using the copper engraving technique, was printed in 1873–1874 in Gotha at the famous Justus Perthes publishing house and included in the foundational world atlas "Hand-Atlas über alle Theile der Erde und über das Weltgebäude". The map is characterized by flawless geographical detail, original contemporary hand coloring, and excellent, collectible condition.
Technical information:
Overall dimensions: 46 cm x 38 cm
Origin: Germany (Gotha)
Era/Period: 1400–1900 (specifically the 1861–1880 period, printed in 1873, published in 1874)
Authors/Publishers: Adolf Stieler / Justus Perthes (G.J. Perthes)
Technique: Copper engraving, hand-colored
Geographical specification: Eastern Europe, Southern Russia, Crimea, Black Sea, Caucasus, Caspian Sea, and the approaches to the North-Eastern European and Balkan regions
Condition: Excellent – the paper is sturdy with wide margins. The condition of the map is more than good: on the reverse side of the sheet, in the lower right corner, there is a minimal, completely inconspicuous, and easily removable tiny stain, which has no impact on the beauty, rarity, or commercial appearance of the piece.
Artistic and structural analysis: This map reflects the precision and scientific rigor of the 19th-century German school of cartography. The copper engraving technology allowed for incredibly fine and clear graduation of topographical elements: mountain range reliefs (the Caucasus ridge is depicted with particular expressiveness), a dense river network, road and railway infrastructure, and a multitude of settlement names. Integrated into the lower left corner are additional highly detailed topographical inset maps depicting the surroundings of Mount Ararat and Tbilisi (Tiflis). The original contemporary hand coloring in watercolor (lemon yellow, rich pink, and soft green) not only aesthetically frames and separates the political and administrative borders of the regions but also lends this folio-format sheet exceptional decorative value.
Historical and geographical context: This sheet from Stieler's atlas captures the highly dynamic geopolitical situation of the 1870s in Eastern Europe and around the Black and Caspian Seas. The map covers territories that were at the intersection of intense imperial interests among the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the rising Balkan nations. The Crimean Peninsula (Krym) is recorded in detail, featuring the names of Sevastopol and other sites of the Crimean War (1853–1856), while clear boundaries of the Caucasus provinces and Cossack lands are drawn to the east. The Justus Perthes publishing house in Gotha was considered a global center for geographical research and the publication of the most accurate maps, which is why these works were used as official documents in international diplomacy.
Collectible and investment value: The value of this Adolf Stieler map in the antique cartography market is guaranteed by its well-known institutional source and excellent physical preservation – sheets with full, uncropped margins are considerably rarer and more valuable. The original, rather than later, coloring and the stable structure of the paper ensure that the work is fully ready for professional framing. This historical document holds long-term investment potential, as late 19th-century geopolitical maps of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus maintain high popularity internationally. Due to its high informativeness and excellent aesthetic qualities, this folio-format engraving will make an elite addition to historical map collections or a luxurious, intellectual accent in an office, private library, or classical interior space.
