Charming antique little map of Poland from Julius Löwenberg’s children’s atlas Geographische LänderFibel published in Berlin in 1846. The map offers an interesting description of the territory between Lithuania, Poland, Austria, and Russia after 1815 showing historical boundaries and including cities such as Warschau (Warsaw), Danzig (Danzig), Krakau (Kraków), Posen (Poznań), and other significant locations.
The decorative frame features figures in traditional Polish dress and scenes evoking the daily life and culture of the area. On the upper sides, male and female figures can be seen in typical costumes: men wear long robes (kontusz) or coats with ornate belts, while women display embroidered headdresses and skirts typical of different Polish regions. At lower left is a group of peasants in simple clothing, probably representing Polish rural life and farming traditions. At lower right, a soldier with saber symbolizing the country’s long military tradition.
Published in Berlin in 1846 by Verlag von Stern und Comp., Geographische LänderFibel is an educational work composed of 21 illustrated maps accompanied by verses. This children’s atlas aimed to make geography more accessible and engaging through the use of detailed maps and educational poetry. Each map represented a different region or country, enriched with illustrations of traditional costumes, monuments, and cultural scenes, offering both a geographical and cultural overview of the depicted areas.
The maps included in the atlas bear the signature “by Anst. v. A. Boeden of Berlin” at the bottom right. This inscription refers to the Anstalt von A. Boeden, a Berlin-based studio specializing in the production of maps and lithographic illustrations. The Anstalt von A. Boeden collaborated with various authors and publishers of the time, creating cartographic works for both educational and informative purposes. The precision and attention to detail in their lithographs reflect their high level of craftsmanship and their dedication to making maps both informative and visually appealing.
Julius Löwenberg (1800 – 1893): A Scholar of Geography
Julius Löwenberg was a German geographer and author, renowned for his prolific literary contributions in the field of geography and his close collaboration with the renowned naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.
Born in Strelno, Prussia (now Strzelno, Poland), Löwenberg began his education at a Talmudic school in Kleczewo before attending the gymnasium in Thorn. He continued his studies at the University of Berlin, where he focused on Church history, Christian dogmatics, and geography under the guidance of Carl Ritter. During his university years, he developed a strong literary output, which, thanks to his friendship with Alexander von Humboldt, gradually became increasingly focused on geography.
Löwenberg maintained both a professional and personal relationship with Humboldt. He made a significant contribution to Humboldt’s scientific biography, edited by Karl Christian Bruhns, by compiling a meticulous bibliography of all the scientist’s publications. This collaboration culminated in the publication of a three-volume biography, which remains a fundamental source for Humboldt studies.
Löwenberg published several geographical works distinguished by their clarity, rich illustrations, and educational value. His famous Länder-Fibel, from which this map originates, was designed to introduce children to the study of geography through illustrated maps enriched with artistic and cultural elements.
