c. 1581 – G. Braun & F. Hogenberg – Riga Konigssbergk

Title:                      “Riga die Hauptt Statt in Lifflantt”​ & “Die Furstliche Hauptt Statt Konigssbergk in Preussen”
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Description:
Early bird’s-eye view of Riga in Livonia (now Riga, Latvia) and Königsberg in Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia), by Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg.

Braun’s descriptions: “The capital of Livonia, Riga, like Danzig in Prussia, is called the most famous trade city by many nations. Like all of Livonia, it lies on a plain. The best-known and largest river in the region is the Daugava, which runs past the city like the Elbe past Hamburg. The Daugava rises in Ruthenia and flows into the Baltic Sea two miles from Riga. Thus the inhabitants and their neighbors are supplied with ample fish and crabs not only from this river but from the sea as well. Likewise they dispose of a great deal of game, which even the farmers are allowed to hunt, although it irks the nobility.”

“Königsberg in Prussia is a most noble and famous city, which was founded in the year 1254 by the Teutonic Knights. Alongside their artisan activities, the citizens engaged first and foremost in maritime trade. They thereby dealt in grain, solid and liquid pitch, which the Germans call resin, as well as salt, flax, hemp, wax, wood and also in a great deal of honey and mead; this is a sweet drink that is made from honey and comes from Livonia.”

The engraving comes from French edition atlas “Civitates orbis terrarum…” published by Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg, engraved by Georg Hoefnagel in Cologne, c. 1581.

Cartographer:   Georg Braun (1541 – 1622) 
 Franz Hogenberg (1535 – 1590)
Leaf size:              49,5 x 41,6 cm
Year:                      c. 1581
Technique:           copper engraving

Condition:
Good condition. Watermarked paper. Attractive hand coloring. Few marginal tears professionally restored.
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This is an original antique map published circa 1581 and NOT a modern copy or reprint

On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity