Antique Map of Latvia: Das Herzogthum Kurland und Semgallen, Von Reilly
Franz Joseph von Reilly Das Herzogthum KURLAND und SEMGALLEN
Description of Region Covered:
This map focuses on the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (Kurland und Semgallen), a historic territory situated in the western part of present-day Latvia. It also includes parts of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the south and the historical region of Livonia (Liefland) along the Baltic Sea to the north. The western edge touches parts of East Prussia, corresponding today to the Kaliningrad region of Russia and coastal Lithuania.
Locations (by modern-day country):
Latvia:
Riga, Jelgava (Mitau), Kuldīga (Goldingen), Tukums (Tuckum), Ventspils (Windau), Liepāja (Libau), Grobiņa (Grobin), Bauska (Bauske), Rūjiena (Ruhmet), Jēkabpils (Jakobstadt), Jaunjelgava (Friedrichstadt)
Lithuania:
Šiauliai (Schadów), Kretinga (Krottingen), Tauragė (Tauroggen), Varna (Worna), Vilkaviškis (Wilkowischki)
Russia:
Sovetsk (Tilsit), Klaipėda (Memel)
Publisher: Reilly, Vienna
Dimensions: Most maps from this work measure 35 x 27.5 cm
In the late 18th Century, cartographer Franz Johann Joseph von Reilly embarked on a project to publish a multi-volume atlas of the entire world entitled Schauplatz der fünf Theile der Welt (published in several editions between zwischen 1789 und 1806). Over 800 maps of Europe were created, however the Napoleonic Wars proved to be an obstacle to completing the third part of the atlas, which was to have been dedicated to the other regions of the world. Von Reilly’s maps were sought after for their accuracy and detail.
In addition to being a mapmaker, Joseph von Reilly was was also an art dealer, author and publisher. He was born in 1766, the son of court master John Reilly, and died in 1820 in Vienna. His other major work was: Grosser Deutscher Atlas
These maps have a distinctive format, somewhat smaller than most maps of the period. Most measure 35 x 27.5 cm.
