1865 Spruner Map of Northwestern Africa, the Magreb, and the Barbary Coast in Antiquity
Description: This is Karl von Sprunerís 1865 map of Cyrenaica, Africa, and Mauretania, collectively known as The Maghreb. Presently, the Maghreb makes up the areas of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Essentially three maps in one, this charts includes the Peutinger Table, named after Konrad Peutinger, who discovered the map in 1508. The Peutinger Map is an astoundingly important discovery that is todayís only known example of a Roman world map, though the original Peutinger was itself a Mediaeval copy of the Roman original. The center map is Northern Africa and the island of Sicily. At the bottom are maps featuring Caesaria, the capital of the Roman province located in Northern Africa, and Marmarica. Map labels important cities, rivers, mountain ranges and other minor topographical detail. Territories and countries outlined in color. The whole is rendered in finely engraved detail exhibiting throughout the fine craftsmanship of the Perthes firm.
Date: 1865 (undated)
Source: Spruner, Karl von, Spruner-Menke Atlas Antiquus,, (Gotha: Justus Perthes), 1865.
References: Rumsey 1626.031. Phillips (atlases) 3288. Espenhorst, J., Petermann's Planet, p. 397-404. Espenhorst, J., Andree, Stieler, Meyer & Co., p. 148.
Cartographer: Karl von Spruner (November 15, 1803 - August 24, 1892) or Spruner Karl von Merz or Spruneri was a Stuttgart born cartographer, scientist, and map publisher active in Germany during the middle part of the 19th century. Joining the Bavarian army at the tender age of 11, Spruner dedicated most of his life to military service. Spruner's superiors, recognizing his keen intellect, eventually assigned him to the army's cartographic division. Military education earned him the title of Doctor of Cartography in 1852. In 1855 he attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and, in 1883, General. Cartographically, Spruner is best known for his historical atlases, most of which were published by the Justus Perthes firm. His much admired maps studiously applied historical political geographies to contemporary physical geographies. Spruner also worked with Heinrich Theodore Menke, a well-known German mapmaker, to produce and later revise his many historical maps. In 1886, after 72 years of professional military service, Spruner formally retired. He died seven years later in Munich in on August 24th of 1892. Click here for a list of rare maps from Karl von Spruner.
Cartographer: Justus Perthes (1749 - 1812) was one of the most important German cartographic engravers of the 19th century. Perthes began his publishing empire with the 1784 issue of the famed survey of European nobility known as the Almanac de Gotha. In 1817 Perthes switched his focus to cartographic publishing. From 1817 to 1890 the Perthes firm would issue thousands of maps for more than 20 different atlases. Along with the visionary editors Stieler, Peterman, Meyer and Spruner, the Perthes firm pioneered the Hand Atlas. He also produced a number of important wall maps and case maps. Perthes maps are admired for their steel plate engraving, incredible detail, dedication to accuracy, and fine colorization. The Justus Perthes firm continues to produce maps and atlases to this day. Click here for a list of rare maps from Justus Perthes.
Size: Printed area measures 16 x 13 inches (40.64 x 33.02 centimeters)
Condition: Very good. Original centerfold.
Code: Maghreb-spruner-1865 (to order by phone call: 646-320-8650)