1866 Hand-Colored Eastern & Western Hemisphere Framed Map Set from Stieler’s Hand-Atlas. Published by Justus Perthes Geographical Institute in Gotha, Germany. Aptly named after it’s founding Cartographer, Adolf Stieler, Stieler’s hand-atlases are known for their excellence and detail. These maps, now obsoletely, portray the prime meridian stemming from the Canary Islands in Africa. This system was first established by Ptolemaic Egypt, and continued for navigational and cartographic purposes until the International Meridian Conference in 1884. After which, the Prime Meridian was relocated to it’s current position in Greenwhich, UK. Professionally matted and framed in matching 19th century gold brushed frames. Both maps are in fantastic condition considering their age, with no tears or visible scratches. Slight discoloration on oceans in western hemisphere (please see photos). These beautiful maps portray many topographical details including mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, continental shelf’s, ocean depths, and dessert regions. Another striking detail is the emptiness of the polar regions. Due to Antarctica’s uncharted nature of the time, you can see it is entirely absent in this printing. 

Western Hemisphere “Westliche Halbkugel”: Ausgabe in 63 B1. No. IV. Striker’s Hand-Atlas (No. 6) 

(Entw.u.gez.von.F.v.Stülpnagel. Gestochen von W. Alt.)

Eastern Hemisphere “Oestliche Halbkugel”: Ausgabe in 63 B1. No. V. Striker’s Hand-Atlas (No. 7) 

(Entw.u.gez.von.F.v.Stülpnagel. II.v. Gest. von J.C. Ausfeld u. W. Alt. )

“Gotha: Justus Perthes . 1866” 

Both: 
Weight: 8 lbs. 10 oz. (4 lbs. 5 oz. Individually) 

Dimensions: 22.50” x 19.00” x 3.00”