• Title : (Neisse) Nysa
• Ref #:  35639
• Condition: (A+) Fine Condition
  
• Size: 21 3/4in x 18in (557mm x 460mm)
• Date : 1755-60
• Price: $575US

Description:
A wonderful large unique, original antique hand drawn military manuscript map on laid 18th century paper with a large French Imperial Fleur De Lis watermark.
This original unique hand drawn, hand coloured antique military map of the fortifications around the City and villages of the ancient Silesian city of Niessa or Nysa, now situated mainly in Poland with parts in Germany & Czech Republic, was hand drawn by a Prussian Military Cartographer Kloch, name inscribed in scale cartouche, was drawn in the mid to late 1750s, as it includes the Nysa fortifications known as Fort Prussia built between 1743-45.

General Definitions:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color : - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, green, blue, pink
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 21 3/4in x 18in (557mm x 460mm)
Plate size: - 21 3/4in x 18in (557mm x 460mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - Small section missing from bottom margin into border.
Plate area: - None
Verso: - Several small tears repaired to margins, not affecting the image

Background:
During the mid-18th century, the city of Nysa (Neisse) in Silesia, now located in present-day Poland, was a significant strategic location that witnessed several sieges between the Prussian and Austrian forces. The sieges were part of the larger conflict known as the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) and the subsequent Seven Years' War (1756-1763).
The first major siege of Nysa occurred in 1741 during the War of the Austrian Succession. The Prussian army, led by King Frederick II (Frederick the Great), laid siege to the city, which was held by Austrian forces. The Prussian forces employed siege tactics, such as constructing trenches, artillery bombardment, and attempts to breach the city's defenses. After a protracted period of resistance, the Austrians eventually surrendered, and Nysa fell into Prussian control.
However, the city changed hands several times during the subsequent years of conflict. In 1742, as part of the Treaty of Breslau, Nysa was returned to Austrian control. But in 1745, during the Second Silesian War, the Prussians launched another siege and recaptured the city, fortifying it as a crucial stronghold in their territorial ambitions.
The city experienced further sieges during the Seven Years' War, which began in 1756. In 1758, the Austrian army, under the command of General Ernst Gideon von Laudon, laid siege to Nysa in an attempt to retake it from the Prussians. The siege lasted for several months, with both sides engaging in fierce combat and extensive bombardment. However, the Prussian defenders managed to hold their ground, and the Austrians eventually lifted the siege without capturing the city.
The sieges of Nysa in the mid-18th century were characterized by the use of traditional siege warfare techniques, including the construction of trenches, siege towers, and the deployment of artillery. The defending forces within the city would have employed various defensive measures, such as reinforcing the fortifications, counter-battery fire, and attempting to repel any breaches made by the besiegers.
These sieges played a significant role in the broader context of the conflicts between Prussia and Austria over control of Silesia. They showcased the strategic importance of Nysa and the determination of both sides to gain control of this key stronghold. The sieges of Nysa during this period serve as a testament to the military tactics and strategies employed by the Prussian and Austrian forces and the hardships faced by the soldiers and civilians caught in the midst of these conflicts.

Please note all items auctioned are genuine, we do not sell reproductions. A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) can be issued on request.