1800 Map of Masuria, Prussia around Lake Sniardwy – Von Reilly Nro 52
Title: Die Koenigliche Preussen ostsudedlicher Theil Nro 52
Elegant 1790-1800 antique map of South Eastern Prussia. The map is centered around the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (Masuria) of today’s Poland, with details of rivers, castles,forest and lakes centered on Poland’s largest lake, Lake Śniardwy (Lake Spirding or Spirdingsee), and resort communities around it.
The following cities are among those visible on the map, listed with their contemporary names first, and the old German names as shown in the map in parentheses.
Węgorzewo (Angerburg), Giżycko (Lötzen), Pisz (Johannisburg), Mikołajki (Nikolaiken), Biała Piska (Bialla), Szczytno (Ortelsburg), Ełk (Lyck), Olecko (Marggrabowa/Treuburg), Gołdap (Goldap), Ruciane-Nida (Rudczanny/Niedersee)
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.
