1859 Cerri Folding Wall Map of Italy

This is the scarce 1859 edition of Carlo Cerri's monumental postal map of Italy. First published in 1849, this is one of the largest and most magnificent maps of Italy to emerge from the 19th century – the age of the Grand Tour. This particular example was updated from the 1852 edition. The scale is 1:804,000 and relief is shown by hachure. The chart is divided into four massive dissected linen-backed sections and folds out to a phenomenal 64 x 50 inches. The map offers extraordinary detail throughout naming every town and city in 19th century Italy from the largest capitals to the tiniest hamlets. Various roadways and important routs around the peninsula are noted. Offshore the map also notes various shoals and other undersea dangers. As this map was being printed Italy was in the midst of its struggle, under such figures as Garabaldi, for national solidarity. In, 1861, just two years after Artaria published this map, the various Italian states would finally consolidated as the Kingdom of Italy, which prospered until the republican constitution of 1946. A table in the lower right quadrant details population statistics. Printed by Artaria and Company, of Vienna, in Milan, Italy.