RELIEF PANORAMA OF THE RHINE

Hoursch & Bechstedt (Publishers)

Grosses Relief-Panorama Des Rheines Nr. 1 Die Zahlen [Large relief panorama of the Rhine No. 1]

Köln: Verlag von Hoursch u. Bechstedt, c1920.
A striking interwar folding panorama offering a continuous, bird's-eye relief view of the Rhine’s course from Cologne (Köln) to Mainz.

This production serves as both a high-detail cartographic achievement and a visual travelogue of the Rhineland’s cultural and architectural landmarks during the early Weimar Republic.

The map utilizes a vertical orientation where the river acts as the central axis, flanked by dense topographical details and architectural vignettes. This specific edition is remarkably scarce; our research indicates only one institutional holding in Germany [OCLC], making it a significant find for collectors of European cartography or Rhine-related ephemera.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
+++ Physical: Folding accordion-style booklet. Folder measures 7.75 by 4.5 inches; opens to a continuous panorama nearly 60 inches in length. Structure: 13 total panels; the first and final panels feature full-page scenic views, while the intervening 11 panels follow the river’s winding course.
+++ Cartography: Not drawn to scale; features a relief "bird's-eye" perspective with the Rhine as the vertical spine.
+++ Text: Entirely in German; includes descriptive text blocks providing historical and geographical context for major towns and sites.
+++ Illustration: Richly colored vignettes depict castles, cathedrals, and riverboats, including a detailed view of the Cologne Cathedral (Der Kölner Dom).

CONDITION Very Good — The internal accordion map is in exceptional state, preserved without flaws, tears, or significant foxing. The colors remain vibrant and the folds are crisp. The outer grey card folder shows moderate wear along the overhanging edges and corners, consistent with its age and intended use as a travel guide. The rear of the folder features an interesting non-original addition: a glued-on "Spearhead" insignia (the 3rd Armored Division of the US Army), suggesting this copy may have been a souvenir or utility map for an American serviceman during the post-WWII occupation era.

HISTORICAL & CARTOGRAPHIC CONTEXT
+++ Post-WWI Proliferation: Published around 1920, this panorama captures the Rhine during a period of intense German national identity-building following the Great War.
+++ The 'Spearhead' Provenance: The 3rd Armored Division patch on the rear adds a layer of military association, likely linking the object to the 'Watch on the Rhine' during the Allied occupation.
+++ Visual Narrative: By positioning the river vertically, the map forces a linear, narrative 'journey' for the viewer, emphasizing the density of the villages and the 'Romantic Rhine' aesthetic of ruined castles and steep vineyards.
+++ Technical Detail: While not to scale, the map accurately notes the names of nearly every village passed, serving as a functional, if stylized, navigational aid for river travelers.

SPECS:
+++ Subject: Cartography, Rhine River, German Travel, Interwar Ephemera.
+++ Specs: Accordion-fold relief map; approx. 5 feet fully extended.
+++ Rarity: High; only one known institutional copy in Germany.
+++ Provenance: Likely US Occupation souvenir (3rd Armored Division).

SUBJECTS: Cartography, Rhine River, Germany, Weimar Republic, Panoramic Maps, Ephemera, Military History, Travel Guides, Relief Maps.

Item #21981

Price: $85.00