1784 Santini Map of Transylvania / Romania

18th Century map of the literary home of Dracula!

This is a 1784 Paolo Santini map of Transylvania, or modern-day Romania. The map depicts the Principality of Transylvania, a semi-independent state ruled by Hungarian princes and parts of the Kingdom of Hungary, Moldavia (Moldavie), and Wallachia (Valaquie). It stretches from the Romanian city of Timisoara (Temesvar) to Moldavia and from the Kingdom of Hungary to Wallachia (Valaquie). Myriad cities and towns labeled, as well as several rivers. An elaborate title cartouche sits on the upper left surrounded by images of war. The Principality of Transylvania symbolized the survival of Hungarian statehood. Even though Hungary was ruled by the Habsburgs, the Principality represented Hungarian interests against this encroachment.

This map was produced by Paolo Santini and published by Giuseppe Antonio Remondini in Venice in 1784.

Cartographer

Paolo Santini (1729 - June 1793) and his brother Francois [Francesco] Santini (fl. 1776 - 1784) were Italian engravers and map publishers based in Venice. The brothers were born in Venice. They are best known for their Atlas Universel dressé sur les meilleures cartes modernes, a grand atlas presenting state-of-the-art French cartography to a Venetian audience. They drew on the cream of 18th Century French cartographers such as Robert de Vaugondy, Jaillot, De L'Isle, and D'Anville. Their atlas was published by the Remondini house in Venice, who purchased the plates and publishing rights from the Santinis in 1781. Paolo was a priest of the Church of Santa Maria Formosa and a professor of architecture in the public schools of Venice. Moreover, he was an ingenious mechanic and invented a large drill used in the Venetian Arsenal for boring cannons, as well as a cutting instrument designed to verify reliably, under any circumstances, the authenticity of licenses issued to merchant captains. With a zigzag cut made in a single movement of the handle, the original document was divided from its matching counterpart. He appears to have been the primary engraver of the two brothers as well. In addition to maps, he also illustrated and engraved architectural plates. He died in Belluno in June 1793, having traveled there to attend the wedding of a close relative. Francesco is believed to have traveled more broadly, including maintaining an office in Paris, where he purchased many of the maps that would inform the brothers' work. He is known to have associated with several French cartographers of the late 18th century, including Rigobert Bonne. His offices in Paris were located at Rue St. Justine pres de L'Eglise.   Further Details...

Condition

Very good. Original press mark visible. Blank on verso.

References

OCLC 956306262.