Duchy of Silesia – Prussian and Austrian Parts No. 105 – Von Reilly
Mapmaker: Franz Joseph Johann von Reilly
Das Herzogthum Schlesien Preussischen und Oesterreichischen Antheils Nro. 105
(German for: The Duchy of Silesia – Prussian and Austrian Parts No. 105)
This map presents the historical region of Silesia, divided at the time between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire. The focus is on political and administrative subdivisions rather than natural features, though mountainous terrain is lightly illustrated, particularly along the southern and eastern borders. The map emphasizes towns and cities in what are now southwestern Poland and the eastern Czech Republic, highlighting regional capitals and market towns. The decorative cartouche in the top right is framed in rough-hewn timber and climbing plants, suggesting a rustic, forested identity but without symbolic figures. The inset at bottom left offers a historical explanation in German, noting that Silesia, though formerly under Austrian control, was ceded largely to Prussia during the 18th century, with the exception of a few districts that remained Austrian (such as Troppau and Teschen).
Poland:
Oppeln (Opole), Ratibor (Racibórz), Kosel (Koźle), Neustadt (Prudnik), Beuthen (Bytom), Tarnowitz (Tarnowskie Góry), Kreuzburg (Kluczbork), Lublinitz (Lubliniec), Rosenberg (Olesno), Namslau (Namysłów), Leobschütz (Głubczyce), Zülz (Biała), Pleß (Pszczyna), Myslowitz (Mysłowice), Loslau (Wodzisław), Kandrzin (Kędzierzyn), Gross Strehlitz (Strzelce Opolskie)
Czech Republic:
Troppau (Opava), Jägerndorf (Krnov), Freiwaldau (Jeseník), Teschen (Český Těšín), Wigstadtl (Vítkov), Odrau (Odry), Bennisch (Horní Benešov), Bärn (Moravský Beroun)
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.
