The "Weltkarte," a masterpiece of cartography from the year 1940, is a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship of Adolf Stieler and the eminent publishing house of Justus Perthes. This detailed political map, printed in German, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world as it was perceived during the tumultuous era of World War II. The map's significance is further heightened by its rarity, as it is known to exist only in a handful of copies, making it a highly sought-after piece for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.

The "Weltkarte" is not just a world map, but also a remarkable work of art that captures the essence of the political landscape of the 1940s. The inclusion of inset maps of the Azores, Cape Verde Isles, Canary Isles, and Madeira showcases the mapmaker's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to providing a comprehensive geographical representation. The map's outline color adds an aesthetic appeal, enhancing the overall visual experience for the viewer.

The historical context of the "Weltkarte" cannot be overstated. This edition, believed to have been printed in the final months of World War II, serves as a poignant reminder of a world on the brink of monumental change. It is a snapshot of a moment in time, offering a unique perspective on the geopolitical dynamics that shaped the course of history. The map's historical significance is further underscored by the fact that it represents the last edition of the Stieler atlas.

Lastly, the "Weltkarte" is a testament to the cartographic prowess of Adolf Stieler and the publishing acumen of Justus Perthes. The map's detailed representation of the world, coupled with its artistic style, is a testament to their dedication to their craft. The projection of the map is also noteworthy, as it provides a clear and accurate depiction of the world's geography. In summary, the "Weltkarte" is more than just a map; it is a historical artifact, a work of art, and a testament to the enduring power of cartography.

• Cartographic Style and Projection:
• The map showcases a detailed political representation of the world as it was in 1940.
• The cartographic projection provides a clear and accurate depiction of the world's geography.
• The map includes inset maps of the Azores, Cape Verde Isles, Canary Isles, and Madeira, demonstrating the mapmaker's meticulous attention to detail.

• The map's outline color adds to its aesthetic appeal.

• Interesting Facts about the Cartographer:

• The map was crafted by Adolf Stieler, a cartographer known for his commitment to providing comprehensive geographical representations.
• The map was published by Justus Perthes, an eminent publishing house renowned for its high-quality maps.

• This map represents the last edition of the Stieler atlas, underscoring the historical significance of this piece.

• Interesting Historical or Physical Features Shown by the Map:

• The map offers a unique perspective on the geopolitical dynamics that shaped the course of history during World War II.
• The map is believed to have been printed in the final months of World War II, serving as a poignant reminder of a world on the brink of monumental change.
• The map is known to exist only in a handful of copies, making it a highly sought-after piece for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
• The map's detailed representation of the world, coupled with its artistic style, is a testament to the dedication of its creators to their craft.
• The map is a snapshot of a moment in time, offering a unique perspective on the world as it was perceived during a tumultuous era.
• The map's historical context cannot be overstated, as it serves as a significant artifact from a pivotal period in world history.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.