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Warsaw under Napoleon
This rare map of the Duchy of Warsaw, published in 1810 in Vienna, is from Franz Reisser’s Atlas der neuen Geographie b. Schulbücher-Verschleiß. The atlas, created primarily for educational use, was printed under the imperial privilege granted by the Habsburg monarchy, as indicated by the label CPSCRAM (Cum Privilegio Sacrae Caesareae Regiaeque Apostolicae Majestatis).
The map provides a detailed depiction of the short-lived Duchy of Warsaw, a Napoleonic client state established following the Treaties of Tilsit in 1807 and dissolved in 1815 after the Congress of Vienna. The Duchy of Warsaw emerged as a beacon of Polish hope after the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth by Austria, Prussia, and Russia in the late 18th century. Under French protection, the Duchy was a symbolic revival of Polish statehood, albeit under heavy influence from Napoleon. The Duchy served as a strategic buffer against Prussia and Russia, playing a significant role in Napoleon’s military campaigns in Eastern Europe. Although it regained some territories formerly belonging to Poland, the Duchy was limited in size and autonomy. After Napoleon’s defeat, the Duchy’s lands were divided, with much of it becoming part of the Russian-controlled Congress Poland.
The map is rich in geographical details, highlighting the key rivers and towns that played critical roles in the Duchy’s economic and military activities. The Vistula River (Weichsel), the lifeblood of the region, prominently cuts through the center, flowing through major towns such as Warsaw (Warschau), Plock, and Torun. The Bug River, flowing along the eastern boundaries, demarcates the Duchy’s border with Russian-controlled territories.
Rarity
Reisser's maps are very rare. This is the first example we have seen for sale.
