{"product_id":"old-antique-map-of-switzerland-by-faden-1799-zurich-geneva-bern-basel-swiss-alps","title":"Old Antique Map of Switzerland by Faden, 1799: Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Basel, Swiss Alps","description":"\u003cp\u003eNouvelle Carte de la Suisse, issued in London in 1799 by the eminent cartographer William Faden, is a masterwork at the intersection of politics, science, and Alpine romance. Composed in the turbulent aftermath of the Old Confederacy and on the cusp of Helvetic reorganization, it presents the Thirteen Cantons and their affiliated territories with the crystalline precision that made Faden Geographer to the King. The plate marries a lucid political schema to an exacting physical portrait, tracing the arc of the Alps while fixing the positions of key towns, rivers, and passes. At a moment when the Alpine theater preoccupied diplomats, generals, and savants alike, Faden’s map distilled Switzerland’s complexity into a legible, authoritative statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mountainous relief, conveyed through lavish hachures and careful annotation, reveals a living geography of passes and watersheds: the Rhine gathering strength at Chur and Basel; the Rhône rushing past Sion toward Geneva; the Aare braiding the Swiss Mittelland and enfolding Bern; the Reuss and Ticino marking portals to St. Gotthard. Lakes are exquisitely set—Léman beside Geneva, the Vierwaldstättersee cradling Lucerne, the twin basins of Neuchâtel and Biel adjoining Yverdon-les-Bains and Biel\/Bienne. Cities pulse across the network—Zurich and Lausanne, St. Gallen and Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Zug, Lugano and Monthey—each anchored within the mountainous amphitheater that culminates in Mont Blanc and its retinue of named glaciers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFaden arranges Switzerland’s political mosaic with uncommon clarity, tinting the cantons by confession—Protestant, Catholic, and Mixed—to illuminate the confessional cartography that underpinned alliances and rivalries. Zurich, Bern, and Basel signal the Protestant north; Lucerne, Fribourg, and Zug assert Catholic strength; mixed jurisdictions testify to negotiated coexistence. Around the core Thirteen Cantons, the map deftly traces allied and subject lands—the Grisons (Graubünden) with its famed Three Leagues, the high valleys of Valais, the independent tradition of Geneva, and the City of Bienne—creating a portrait of sovereignty that is layered rather than monolithic. Joint bailiwicks and border marches are named and delimited, capturing the fine-grained governance that defined late-eighteenth-century Swiss federalism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScientific curiosity animates the composition. An inset panorama, Vue de la Vallée de Chamouny et des Glacieres du Côté du Midi, stages the Chamonix valley beneath Mont Blanc, with the Glacier des Bossons pouring from the heights and neighboring summits—among them Mont Paiclairais—etched with a draughtsman’s fidelity. A companion inset tabulates the elevations of notable peaks and glaciers in pieds Anglais, echoing the era’s passion for measured mountain heights after the feats of Alpine savants. In an explanatory note, Faden credits Sir George Augustus William Shuckburgh-Evelyn for triangulations performed in 1775, signaling his reliance on rigorous geodetic frameworks that elevated the map beyond mere depiction into the realm of scientific instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWilliam Faden’s signature virtues—meticulous compilation, elegant engraving, and judicious synthesis of sources—shine throughout. A central broker of European intelligence during the age of revolutions and coalitions, Faden published in a cosmopolitan idiom, here adopting French to reach the Continent’s learned public. His lettering is clean and hierarchical; his relief readable at a glance; his settlement geography—Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Basel, Lucerne, Lausanne, Chur, St. Gallen, Neuchâtel, Biel\/Bienne, Fribourg, Zug, Sion, Lugano, Monthey, Yverdon-les-Bains—arrayed with the poise of a gazetteer. As a time capsule of 1799—politically intricate, scientifically ambitious, and topographically sublime—this map offers a consummate view of Switzerland at the summit of Enlightenment cartography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCities and towns on this map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZurich\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneva\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLucerne\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLausanne\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChur\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSt. Gallen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeuchâtel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFribourg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZug\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLugano\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonthey\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYverdon-Les-Bains\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInset: \"Vue de la Vallée de Chamouny et des Glacieres du Côté du Midi\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElevation List: Peaks and glaciers measured in pieds Anglais.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReligious Affiliation of Cantons: Colored distinctions for Protestant, Catholic, and Mixed cantons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllied Regions: Notable bordering territories like Grisons and Valais.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed Mountain Range Illustrations: Including Mont Blanc, Mont Paiclairais, and Glacier des Bossons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTriangulation Reference: Credit to Sir George Augustus William Shuckburgh-Evelyn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eName of the Map: Nouvelle Carte de la Suisse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYear of Creation: 1799\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMapmaker: William Faden, published in London\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMap Details: Detailed political and physical representation of Switzerland, focusing on the Thirteen Cantons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesign Style: Intricately detailed, highlighting mountainous terrain and annotated geographic features; elaborate style typical of Faden's works.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical Significance: Illustrates Switzerland’s political complexity in 1799 and the era’s scientific and cartographic advancements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/fr\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlease note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the \u003ca href=\"\/fr\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003ebest old maps\u003c\/a\u003e to see if something else catches your eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"\/fr\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact me\u003c\/a\u003e to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247553745280,"sku":"UM00294513A","price":77.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247553778048,"sku":"UM00294514A","price":170.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247553810816,"sku":"UM00294515A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247553843584,"sku":"UM00294516A","price":77.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247553876352,"sku":"UM00294517A","price":170.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247553909120,"sku":"UM00294518A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247553941888,"sku":"UM00294519A","price":88.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247553974656,"sku":"UM00294520A","price":255.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554007424,"sku":"UM00294521A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554040192,"sku":"UM00294522A","price":93.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554072960,"sku":"UM00294523A","price":255.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554105728,"sku":"UM00294524A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554138496,"sku":"UM00294525A","price":93.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554171264,"sku":"UM00294526A","price":255.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554204032,"sku":"UM00294527A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554236800,"sku":"UM00294528A","price":122.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554269568,"sku":"UM00294529A","price":351.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554302336,"sku":"UM00294530A","price":351.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554335104,"sku":"UM00294531A","price":122.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554367872,"sku":"UM00294532A","price":351.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554400640,"sku":"UM00294533A","price":351.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554433408,"sku":"UM00294534A","price":175.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554466176,"sku":"UM00294535A","price":813.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554498944,"sku":"UM00294536A","price":765.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554531712,"sku":"UM00294537A","price":244.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554564480,"sku":"UM00294538A","price":989.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554597248,"sku":"UM00294539A","price":930.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554630016,"sku":"UM00294540A","price":324.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554662784,"sku":"UM00294541A","price":1489.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554695552,"sku":"UM00294542A","price":1382.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58247554728320,"sku":"UM00294543A","price":547.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58247554761088,"sku":"UM00294544A","price":1994.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58247554793856,"sku":"UM00294545A","price":1861.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_4cffc254-77ca-4691-8231-19c44c475273.jpg?v=1781124376","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.eu\/fr\/products\/old-antique-map-of-switzerland-by-faden-1799-zurich-geneva-bern-basel-swiss-alps","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}