Old Wine Map of Italy, 1883: Red & White Viticulture, Rome, Naples, Venice, Mount Etna, Apennine Mountains

Step into the Past with the "Statistical Map of Italy"

Dive into a rich tapestry of history with the "Statistical Map of Italy," crafted by the esteemed Letts Son & Co. in 1883. This map not only delineates the geographical contours of Italy but also extends its reach to the vibrant landscapes of Slovenia, Croatia, and beyond, capturing a significant period when Italy was knitting itself together as a unified nation. Published during a dynamic era of European political reshuffling, this map offers more than just boundaries; it is a portal to the past, illustrating the bustling cities and burgeoning rail networks that connected the pulsating heart of Italy to its rural vine-laden extremities.

A Cartographic Masterpiece by Letts Son & Co.

Letts Son & Co., a renowned publisher known for their detailed and informative maps, brought forth this 1883 masterpiece during a time of significant historical importance. The map's precision in depicting political and regional borders is complemented by its vibrant coloration and the use of hachures to indicate relief, making it not only a tool for navigation but a work of art. The inclusion of submarine cables and railroads highlights the technological advancements of the era, while detailed insets of major Italian cities like Rome, Naples, Florence, and Venice provide a closer look at these cultural hubs.

Discover Italy’s Enchanting Landscape

From the snow-capped Alps descending through the rugged Apennines, to the volcanic majesty of Mount Etna and Vesuvius, this map encapsulates Italy's diverse geographical features. The detailed representation of Italy’s extensive waterways, including the iconic Po, Tiber, and Arno rivers, alongside the serene Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, and Ionian seas, offers a glimpse into the natural routes that shaped the country’s history and culture. The map also thoughtfully marks the wine-growing regions, underlined to distinguish between the varieties, reflecting the deep-rooted viticultural heritage that continues to thrive in these areas today.

A Glimpse into Italy’s Urban and Rural Splendor

The map meticulously plots cities from the bustling streets of Rome, with a population soaring to 4.3 million, to the scenic tranquility of Amalfi and Ravello, each marked with their respective populations to provide a sense of scale and urban density during the period. This statistical approach not only serves as a historical record but also illustrates the growth and importance of these urban centers in Italy's socio-economic framework. The inclusion of lesser-known towns and the detailed depiction of their connectivity through emerging rail networks reveal the expansive and interconnected nature of Italy's landscape in the 1880s.

A Historical Document of Europe’s Evolution

Beyond its utility as a navigational aid, this map stands as a historical document, capturing a snapshot of Europe at a time of transformative change. The detailed borders reflect the political state of affairs in a post-unification Italy, surrounded by emerging nations and empires. For historians, cartographers, and enthusiasts of European culture, this map offers not just a visual delight but a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical and cultural dynamics that influenced Italy and its neighbors in the late 19th century.

Cities and towns on this map

• Rome (4.3 million)
• Milan (1.4 million)
• Naples (960 thousand)
• Turin (870 thousand)
• Palermo (670 thousand)
• Genoa (600 thousand)
• Bologna (390 thousand)
• Florence (380 thousand)
• Catania (310 thousand)
• Venice (260 thousand)
• Verona (260 thousand)
• Padua (210 thousand)
• Trieste (210 thousand)
• Brescia (200 thousand)
• Livorno (160 thousand)
• Messina (150 thousand)
• Reggio di Calabria (150 thousand)
• Ancona (100 thousand)
• Taranto (100 thousand)
• Bari (100 thousand)
• Lecce (100 thousand)
• Pescara (100 thousand)
• Foggia (100 thousand)
• Benevento (60 thousand)
• Avellino (50 thousand)
• Caserta (50 thousand)
• Nola (50 thousand)
• Torre del Greco (50 thousand)
• Castellammare di Stabia (50 thousand)
• Sorrento (50 thousand)
• Amalfi (5 thousand)
• Positano (4 thousand)
• Ravello (4 thousand)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Mount Etna (volcano)
• Mount Vesuvius (volcano)
• Strait of Messina
• Gulf of Naples
• Gulf of Gaeta
• Tyrrhenian Sea
• Ionian Sea
• Adriatic Sea
• Apennine Mountains
• Po River
• Tiber River
• Arno River
• Rubicon River

Historical and design context

• Date: 1883
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Letts Son & Co.
• Geographic coverage: Covers modern-day Italy, parts of France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Malta, San Marino, and Vatican City.
• Themes: Shows political boundaries, cities, railroads, wine-growing regions, submarine cables, and relief.
• Design/Style: Colored map with hachures to show relief.
• Historical significance: Reflects the period of great political and social change in Europe, particularly after the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Please 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.

This 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.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This 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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.