POLAND 1862 ANDRIVEAU-GOUJON LARGE UNUSUAL ANTIQUE POLAND LITHOGRAPHIC MAP

Pologne ancienne & moderne, avec l'indication de ses divers démembrements. E. Andriveau-Goujon, Éditeur, Rue du Bac, 21.

Description: Striking and highly detailed unusual highly decorative 1862 Eugène Andriveau-Goujon original colored lithographic map of Poland, depicting the administrative and political divisions of Poland during the mid-19th century. The map uses relief shown by hachures to indicate terrain features, and it includes boundaries, roads, railroads, major cities, rivers, and other geographic entities. A color-coded reference on the map provides clarity on the various demarcated regions.
 
Style:
 
This work is characteristic of 19th-century cartographic styles, which emphasized precision and clarity. The use of hand coloring not only enhances the aesthetic quality but also serves functional purposes by distinguishing different regions and jurisdictions. The map follows a scale of 1:2,400,000, allowing for detailed representation of Poland's geographical and political landscape.
 
Subject Matter:
 
The map focuses on Poland, illustrating both ancient and modern territories and their subdivisions. It highlights the complex political boundaries and divisions that Poland experienced, particularly following the partitions by neighboring empires. The map provides insights into the country's administrative structure during a period marked by significant political changes.
 
Cultural and Historical Context:
 
This map was produced during a time when Poland's national identity and territorial integrity were under constant threat due to partitions and foreign dominations by Austria, Prussia, and Russia. The map's creation in 1862 coincides with the January Uprising, a Polish insurrection against the Russian Empire, which sought to restore Poland's sovereignty. Therefore, this map is not only a geographical tool but also a cultural artifact reflecting Poland's historical struggles for independence and self-determination.
 
Notable Features:
 
- Boundaries and Colors: The map uses distinct colors to delineate different regions, providing a clear visual representation of Poland's political boundaries at the time.
 
- Inscriptions and Labels: Cities, roads, and other significant geographical features are labeled in detail, offering valuable information about Poland’s infrastructure and settlement patterns during the period.
 
- Relief and Terrain: The use of hachures effectively conveys the topography, which would have been crucial for understanding the strategic and economic implications of the terrain.
 
Publication Context:
 
The map is part of a larger collection, the "Atlas classique et universel de géographie ancienne et moderne," which was adopted by the Minister of War for regimental libraries, indicating its importance and utility in military and educational contexts. The atlas contains 50 plates, including maps that depict recent explorations and historical geographic work. This particular map is among the 50 maps that collectively represent a broad survey of the world's geography at the time.
 
In summary, this map is a significant historical document that provides insight into the geographical and political landscape of Poland in the 19th century. It serves as a testament to the country's complex history of division and the enduring quest for national identity. Through its detailed depiction and careful design, the map stands as a valuable resource for understanding the historical context of Poland and the broader European region during this era.
 
Source: Atlas Classique et Universel de Geographie ancienne et moderne, contenant les decouvertes et les divisions les plus nouvelles dans les cinq parties du monde pour servir a la lecture des voyages, des ouvrages historiques et des meilleurs traites de geographie. Publie par J. Andriveau-Goujon. Adopte par le Ministre de la Guerre pour les bibliotheques regimentaires. Nouvelle edition. A Paris, Chez l'Editeur, Rue du Bac, no. 21, pres le Pont Royal. 1862.

Date: 1862 ( dated ) 

Dimension: Paper size approx.: cm 68,6 x 52,9

Condition: Very strong and dark impression on good paper. Map old original colored. Small foxing and browning. Map folded. Conditions are as you can see in the images.

Mapmaker: Eugène Andriveau-Goujon (1832 - 1897) was a map publisher and cartographer active in 19th century Paris. The firm was created in 1825 when Eugène Andriveau married the daughter of map publisher Jean Goujon - thus creating Andriveau-Goujon. Maps by Andriveau-Goujon are often confusing to identify as they can be alternately singed J. Goujon, J. Andriveau, J. Andriveau-Goujon, E. Andriveau-Goujon, or simply Andriveau-Goujon. This refers to the multiple generations of the Andriveau-Goujon dynasty and the tendency to republish older material without updating the imprint. The earliest maps to have the Andriveau-Goujon imprint were released by Jean Andriveau-Goujon. He passed the business to his son Gilbert-Gabriel Andriveau-Goujon, who in 1858 passed to his son, Eugène Andriveau-Goujon, under whose management the firm was most prolific. Andriveau-Goujon published numerous fine pocket maps and atlases throughout the 19th century and often worked with other prominent French cartographers of the time such as Brue and Levasseur. The firm's stock was acquired by M. Barrère in 1892.