COLLECTION NAME:
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Record
Author:
Ruhle von Lilienstern, August
Date:
1825
Short Title:
Title Page: Allgemeiner Schulatlas.
Publisher:
C.G. Luderitz
Publisher Location:
Berlin
Type:
Title Page
Obj Height cm:
43
Obj Width cm:
54
Note:
Lavishly illustrated title page with scenes from the natural world including rattle snakes, palm trees, volcano and tropical plants. Includes cultural features such as ships, the sphinx, and a hachured relief map of Iceland outlined in teal color.
Reference:
Espenhorst, Vol. II, 32.1.
World Area:
World
Full Title:
(Title Page) Allgemeiner Schulatlas v. R v. L. Berlin, 1825.
List No:
5759.002
Series No:
2
Publication Author:
Ruhle von Lilienstern, August
Pub Date:
1825
Pub Title:
Allgemeiner Schulatlas.
Pub Reference:
Espenhorst, Vol. II, 32.1.
Pub Note:
In German. Remarkable for "the most fantasy-rich title page to be found in any German atlas" (Espenhorst). This atlas is, according to the author, Ruhle von Lilienstern, "expressly designed for use in the schools" and was ahead of its time in depicting hydrography and topography without place names and cultural or political features. The author's motivation was to use an effective presentation style for surface terrain. The rendering of relief was particularly innovative and precedent setting. Unfortunately, this atlas was not embraced by teachers, who remained focused on the political aspects of geography. Nonetheless, Ruhle was devoted to military and public geographic education and he had, according to Espenhorst, the goal "to create in the Prussian people the spirit, the will, and the capability to participate in war." The atlas also suffered from flights of fancy on filling in unexplored regions of the earth, a practice which lead to criticism and which detracted from the outstanding physiographic or oro-hydrographic depictions. The author was also one of the first to employ lithography to produce large format atlases. As a general, writer and diplomat, he was very successful. While his success as a cartographer was challenged, his contributions are certainly noteworthy.
Pub List No:
5759.000
Pub Type:
School Atlas
Pub Type:
World Atlas
Pub Maps:
30
Pub Height cm:
48
Pub Width cm:
30
Image No:
5759002
Authors:
Ruhle von Lilienstern, August
Link To Source
Title Page: Allgemeiner Schulatlas.
