Map of Spain divided into all its Kingdoms, Provinces and Principalities… Posts and Postal Offices.

This original antique map is a testimony of the scientific and administrative spirit driven by the Bourbon reforms in the 18th century. It is one of the most notable Spanish maps made up to the year 1800, reflecting moreover the Crown’s will to map with precision the post and mail routes of Spain under criteria of Enlightenment efficiency. The piece is extremely scarce; with no records in Rarebookhub and a single entry located in WorldCat / OCLC (Library of the Ministry of Defence, Madrid).

The composition stands out for its Neoclassical style and an ornamental cartouche presided over by the arms of the Infante Don Luis de Borbón y Farnesio. In the right margin a compass indicates the orientation of north. In the upper right, an “explanation” box details with precision the costs of sending correspondence and transport to and from Madrid, providing fundamental economic data of the period.

On the left side, the engraving presents an exhaustive key that allows the location of archbishoprics, bishoprics, cities, towns and military strongholds. Likewise, it identifies the post routes, distinguishing between mounted and non-mounted routes. The technical execution of Juan Minguet, trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, is appreciated in the rigour with which he details everything from the coast of Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia to the north of Galicia and the Basque Country.