Historic Map : Colton Map of Western Germany: Westphalia, Rheinland, 1856, Vintage Wall Art

A beautiful 1855 first edition example of Colton's map of western Germany. Like most of Colton's europe maps, this map was derived from an earlier wall map of the World produced by Colton and D. Griffing Johnson. Covers the 19th century German provinces of Westphalia, the RheProvinces, and numerous smaller regions.

In 1848 the March Revolution swept through europe, in particular Germany. These Revolutions were nationalist pro-German, pan-German, declarations of discontent with the archaic autocratic political structure that dated to the 39 original German states established under the Holy Roman empire. In 1871, most of the former Confederation states were folded into the newly proclaimed German empire. The years following the violent suppression of the March Revolution saw a vast middle class exodus from the German states to the United States, leading to 'Germantown USA,' and popular interest among Americans in the Fatherland.

This map also identifies various cities, towns, rivers, rapids, mountain passes, and an assortment of additional topographical details. Map is hand colored in pink, green, yellow and blue pastels to define national and regional boundaries. Surrounded by Colton's typical spiral motif border. Dated and copyrighted to J. H. Colton, 1855. Published from Colton's 172 William Street Office in New York City. Issued as page no. 13 in volume 2 of Colton's 1856 Atlas of the World.