General Map of the Alps

Richard Andree (1835 - 1912)

German cartographer whose career centred on making complex geographic data accessible to the public. He gained prominence through his association with the publisher Friedrich Vieweg & Sohn, where he synthesised new surveying data into clear, educational maps. In 1871, Andree succeeded August Petermann as editor of the influential geographical periodical, Globus. This role positioned him at the forefront of contemporary exploration, allowing him to disseminate the latest geographic discoveries to a wide audience. His crowning achievement was the 1881 publication of Andree's, Allgemeiner Handatlas. This comprehensive work set a new standard for late c.19th reference materials, balancing scientific precision with a compact, affordable format. The atlas featured meticulously engraved maps showing updated political boundaries and transport routes, becoming a staple in schools and libraries. Its enduring design served as the foundation for numerous revised editions long after his death, cementing the hand atlas as an authoritative tool for modern geography.

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