This late 18th-century map, published in London by Laurie & Whittle, presents a detailed depiction of northern Germany and northwestern Poland, specifically the Electorate of Brandenburg, Western Pomerania (Vorpommern), and the Duchies of Mecklenburg and Magdeburg. These regions were crucial territories within the Kingdom of Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire, playing significant roles in trade, military strategy, and political developments. The map was created during a period of Prussian expansion, reflecting the geopolitical landscape in the years leading up to the Napoleonic Wars.
The geographical scope of the map covers a portion of northern Germany, extending from the Elbe River in the west to the Oder River in the east, and from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Duchy of Magdeburg in the south. The inclusion of Rügen Island, a Swedish-controlled territory at the time, highlights the region's contested political status. Key cities such as Berlin, Stettin (modern-day Szczecin, Poland), Magdeburg, and Rostock are prominently marked, emphasizing their importance as centers of administration, commerce, and military operations.
The cartographic features of the map reflect the high level of detail typical of Laurie & Whittle's publications. Political borders are outlined in distinct colors to differentiate between duchies and provinces. Major rivers, including the Elbe, Oder, and Havel, are illustrated, reinforcing their role as crucial trade routes. The Baltic coastline is carefully delineated, showing key ports and maritime connections. The presence of roads, settlements, and fortifications suggests the map’s utility in both military planning and economic navigation.
Historically, the late 18th century was a transformative period for the region. The Kingdom of Prussia, under Frederick William II, was consolidating its territories following the Partitions of Poland (1772, 1793, 1795) and territorial conflicts with Austria and Sweden. The Duchy of Magdeburg, once an ecclesiastical state, had been secularized and integrated into Prussian control. Meanwhile, Mecklenburg, though part of the Holy Roman Empire, maintained a degree of independence but remained influenced by its more powerful Prussian neighbor. The map captures this shifting balance of power, as Prussia continued its rise as a dominant force in Central Europe.
Robert Laurie (ca. 1755-1836) and James Whittle (1757-1818) formed their Fleet Street, London-based firm upon the 1794 death of their employer Robert Sayer, himself one of the dominant print and mapmakers of the last half of the 18th century.
Laurie & Whittle started managing Sayer's business as early as 1787. They took over all managerial duties when Sayer's health flagged in 1792, and they changed the imprint in 1794 upon his death. Sayer left the two a 21-year lease on the shop (at £100 a year) and on Sayer's Bolt Court premises, as well as an option to acquire stock and equipment at a preferential price of £5,000 payable over three years.
Robert Laurie retired from the firm in 1812, and his role was assumed by his son, Richard Holmes Laurie (1777-1858). The younger Laurie worked with James Whittle until the latter died in 1818. After R. H. Laurie died in 1858, Alexander George Findlay, FRGS (1812-1875) purchased the firm from his daughters. The firm continues today under another name, specializing in yachting charts.
Laurie & Whittle were prolific print and map publishers, and throughout their careers, they produced numerous very important and rare works. They carried on Robert Sayer's atlas business and were responsible for editions of The Complete East-India Pilot and The American Atlas.