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Vasilii Piadyshev's map of the Astrakhan region, integrated into the Geograficheskii atlas Rossiiskoi imperii, tsarstva Pol'skogo i velikogo kniazhestva Finliandskogo (Geographic Atlas of the Russian Empire, Kingdom of Poland, and the Grand Duchy of Finland), is an exquisite cartographic artifact of the 19th century.
Constructed by expert Russian military cartographers in 1893, the map showcases a detailed representation of Astrakhan's landscape and the socio-economic conditions of the era. It highlights population centers, differentiated by size, thereby offering a lucid understanding of the settlement distribution across the province. The map further emphasizes the strategic and defensive attributes of the region with the clear marking of fortresses and militia stations.
Roads constitute an integral part of the map, with different categories meticulously delineated. This detailed depiction provides an understanding of the extensive transport network and the level of connectivity within the Astrakhan region. The administrative divisions are also well-documented, presenting clear boundaries of districts and provinces and identifying individual districts, thereby offering a comprehensive image of the province's administrative structure.
Another remarkable feature of the map is its marking of plants and factories, indicating the areas of industrial activity during that time. This detail provides valuable insights into the economic conditions and the extent of industrial development in the Astrakhan province during the late 19th century.
The map also showcases distinct symbols for "monastere et hermitage ou abbaye" (monastery and hermitage or abbey), which provide insights into the religious and cultural aspects of the province during that time.
Rarity
The map is very rare.
This is the first time we have offered the map for sale.
Distances on the map are indicated in versts, a traditional Russian unit of measurement, reinforcing the cultural and historical context of the map's creation.
Piadyshev was the cartographer at the Military-Topographical Depot of His Imperial Majesty's General Staff, during the production of the first systematic survey or Russia, with maps published between 1820 and 1827.
Piadyshev's Geograficheskii atlas Rossiiskoi imperii, tsarstva Pol'skogo i velikogo kniazhestva Finliandskogo (Geographical Atlas of the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Poland, and the Grand Duchy of Finland . . . ) was the first atlas of its kind - both comprehensive and accurate - depicting an empire that stretched from the Vistula River to the Pacific Ocean. It is credited to Col. Vasilii Petrovich Piadyshev (1768-1835), who served with distinction in the Military-Topographical Depot of His Majesty's General Staff. The sheets were published between 1820 and 1827; the work underwent revision in 1828-1829 and was reprinted in 1834. The atlas is composed of 60 maps, including a general map of the empire.
Curiously, the atlas is not constructed on a consistent scale and does not use the same projection on all maps. Each sheet describes administrative boundaries, rivers, roads, urban and rural settlements, and a variety of other details. Distances are in versts (1 verst = 1.07 kilometer). On each sheet, placenames are rendered in Russian and in French transliteration.
The atlas reflects the detailed mapping carried out by Russian military cartographers in the first quarter of the 19th century. The map shows population centers (five gradations by size), fortresses, redoubts, roads (four types), provincial and district borders, plants, and factories. Distances are shown in versts, a Russian measure, now no longer used, equal to 1.07 kilometers. Legends and place-names are in Russian and French.
The atlas underwent revision in 1828-1829, and was reprinted in 1834.
