Atlas of the Great Elector (Mauritius Atlas)

Atlas of the Great Elector (Mauritius Atlas)

This massive and gorgeous atlas housed in the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin exemplifies the quality of 17th century Dutch maps, which were popular wall-hangings. It was commissioned in 1664 by Prince John Maurice of Nassau (1604–79), after whom the codex is alternatively named – Mauritius Atlas. The cover is adorned with his coat of arms underlaid by the eight-pointed Maltese Cross with an elephant hanging from it, the former a reference to his status as Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg) and the later to his membership in the Danish Order of the Elephant.
John Maurice was known for being a bibliophile in possession of an impressive private library that he made available to visiting scholars. His atlas begins with a title page, followed by a large-scale coat of arms of Elector Frederick William I and a table of contents. The sequence of the wall maps corresponds approximately to the order in modern atlases beginning with a world overview, followed by Europe, Germany, Prussia, the other European countries and the continents of Asia, Africa, and America. This work reflects the knowledge of their time and are often based on previous works.

History of the Massive Tome

The astounding codex was presented as a sumptuous gift to Duke Frederick William I of Brandenburg (1620–88) intended to be displayed as wall hangings in the library of his palace in Berlin. Six people are required to carry it and up to four are needed to turn the pages of this book that is the size of a bed when open. The atlas was exhibited in the newly built Royal Library beginning in 1782, was transferred to the neighboring Dutch Palace in 1884, and reached its final repository in the large new building of the Staatsbibliothek Unter den Linden in 1910.
Up until 2010, the Atlas of the Great Elector was the largest atlas in the world and was presented as such at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It is even larger than the Rostock Great Atlas and the Klencke Atlas in London, as well as being one of the largest and heaviest books in existence. During the return trip, the original binding was damaged by a break in the oak boards and the sea air caused the paper maps to ripple. However, restoration work did not begin until 1931 when new wooden boards and leather were furnished with the original fittings and clasps. After the atlas successfully survived World War II and the Battle of Berlin without being damaged or looted, it underwent a second, more historically appropriate restoration at the German State Library in East Berlin.

The Great Elector

Frederick William is known as “the Great Elector” for his military achievements and for rebuilding and reforming the Prussian state after the devastation of the 30 Years’ War. The standing army numbering 45,000 he created was the foundation for what would become the famous Royal Prussian Army. His economic program focused on building infrastructure and included a policy of religious tolerance that attracted skilled French and Walloon Huguenots, as well as other foreign craftsmen, to emigrate bolstering the country's technical and industrial base. During his reign, which spanned 48 years, he transformed the Duchy of Prussia from a ravaged and depopulated state into one of the great powers of Europe, which would become a kingdom during the reign of his son and heir.