Nuova Carta Geografica dello Stato Ecclesiastico Delin.ta dal P. Cristof.ro Maire d.a C.a di Gesù sulle comuni Osservazioni

The Jesuit father Ruggiero Boscovich was born in Ragusa, in Dalmatia, in 1711 but had moved to Rome already in 1737, where he was appointed teacher of the Collegio Romano for his skills in maths and physics, despite he was only 26. Though he can be mentioned among the greatest experts of astronomy and geodesy, he also took part in many engineering projects, such as the drainage of the Paludi Pontine and the organization of the harbour in Rimini.

It was Boscovich himself to point out the need for a topographic-geodetic relief of the Papal State. Once he got the political support of Cardinal Valenti, he also obtained the economic support of Pope Benedetto XIV. For this monumental work he called the English Jesuit father Cristopher Maire, who also suggested to ad just the detective geographic map of the Papal State and establish the right positions of the cities along the territory.

This work was ended in 1754, after three years, and the following year the publication was announced in the De litteraria expeditione.., where both astronomers also explained the aim and the method of their work, describing the technique of triangulations and assessment. The work was finally printed in 1755, finely engraved by the Calcografia Apostolica. The map is not particularly rich in details, but it fixes for good the hydrographical grid, the roadways and the inhabited places.

Copper engraving, printed on three big-size sheets, with untrimmed and full margins, in excellent condition. Marvellous example of a rare and interesting map.