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Highlights

Among the particularly noteworthy highlights of our map collection are numerous valuable maps from the Electoral Collection dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Aufgeschlagener Atlas Royal, zu sehen ist eine Karte Sachsens
Ein Band des Atlas Royal

The early history of the collection

  • 1556 Elector August of Saxony (1526-1586) - himself a cartographer and passionate collector of maps - begins to build up a collection of cartographic hand drawings, woodcuts and copper engravings.
  • 1574 The first catalogue of the collection lists several map works, including editions of Ptolemy's Geography from 1513 to 1525, fortress plans and Philipp Apian's Bavarian Land Tables from 1568.
  • 1589 The collection continues to grow after the death of the Elector through the purchase of Werther's library, which contains over 3,000 volumes and numerous maps.
  • 1733 After the death of Augustus the Strong, the royal atlas is added to the collection. The large-format work is one of the most magnificent atlases ever and comprises 19 volumes. It was compiled in Amsterdam from 1706 to 1710, over a period of several years, solely for the patron.
  • 1764 With the acquisition of the Gräflich Bünauschen Library, important maps on Saxon regional history, among other things, are added to the collection.
  • 1768 With the acquisition of the Count's Brühl Library, several representative historical atlases find their way into the collection, among them a copy of the first ever published atlas by Ortelius from 1570.
  • 1787 Johann Christoph Adelung becomes head librarian of the then Electoral Library, which later became the SLUB. In addition, he privately builds up a very large collection of historical maps and views, which can be bought from his heirs in 1883. These include some of the most beautiful historical views of places from the 17th and 18th centuries as well as numerous maps of Saxony and the whole world. These are distinguished, among other things, by their extraordinary accuracy as well as the quality of the printing and hand-colouring. More information on Johann Christoph Adelung can be found in the exhibition catalogue People make libraries.

Are you interested in the more recent history of the collection? Then take a look at the page on our collection of maps and views.

Feel free to contact us! Simply book an individual consultation via the knowledge bar. Contact Dominik Stoltz Tel.: +49 351 4677-530 E-mail: dominik.stoltz@slub-dresden.de