1891 Relief Travel Map of the High Black Forests near Freiburg, Germany
Reliefkarte vom Hohen Schwarzwald
Edited by: Fr Güther
Lithograph by: L. Geissendörfer
Date: 1891 (published) Karlsruhe, Germany
Dimensions: 21.25 x 26.5 inches (54 x 67.3 cm)
A striking 19th Century, antique relief map of the High Black Forests outside of Freiburg, Germany, published as a folding traveler’s guide backed with original linen.
The primary contributor to this map was a woman named Ms. Güther who is credited for several other tourist maps of Southern Germany. The lithography was done by Geissendörfer of Karlsruhe, Germany and the map was available for purchase at Wagnersche University book and art store.
The map provides a unique raised relief visual effect through the use of contour lines and shading, accentuating the height of mountain peaks and the depth of valleys. Names of mountains and their elevation are provided as are towns, lakes, churches, and parks. Railways, country roads, and even hiking trails are delineated throughout the map. An explanation key with a map scale of distance is provided in the top left corner.
The map focuses on what is known as the High Black Forest, which is a section of Germany’s greater Black Forest above an elevation of 4,500 ft. The term originated with documents such as this map as it was primarily used to draw tourists to its distinctive mountainous terrain, complete with a wide array of summer and winter sport activities, and its thermal springs utilized for spa resorts. Still today, the primary industry of employment in the region is hospitality and tourism.
Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Berthold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town; from which it derives its name which translates to "free (or independent) town." The city is home to several highly esteemed universities such as the Albert Ludwig University, Freiburg Music Academy, Freiburg University (5th oldest in Germany), and the Protestant University for Applied Sciences to name a few.
Condition: The map is in B+ condition, originally issued folding with linen. Some of the folding areas have been reinforced on the verso where the linen was separated or weakened. A few areas in the right margin show signs of damp staining, which can be expected with travelers' maps.
Inventory # 12135
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