United Kingdom - Sicily/Calabria/Malta; J. & C. Walker/Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK) - Italy III (Sicilia, Calabria e Malta) - 1821-1850

An extraordinary window into the cartographic mastery of the Grand Tour era in the 19th century. This refined steel-engraved map, titled "Italy III," focuses with meticulous precision on the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, illustrating the entire island of Sicily, the rugged morphology of southern Calabria, and the strategic islands of Malta and Gozo. Published under the prestigious aegis of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK), this plate represents a pinnacle of British Enlightenment cartography, combining rigorous scientific exactitude with sublime aesthetic elegance. The hand-colored delicate outlines of the period gracefully distinguish historical subdivisions and coastlines, making the work a prized piece for elite Italian cartography collectors and for refined interior design projects. Cartographer / Publisher: Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain) / Engraved by the renowned family firm J. & C. Walker. Period / Dating: circa 1830-1844 (first publication by Baldwin & Cradock in 1830; subsequent editions issued by Chapman & Hall). Technique: Precious steel engraving on vintage laid paper of high grammage, characterized by finely finished outlines with contemporary watercolor washes, in vivid yet delicate tones. Relieve elements: Exceptional details regarding maritime routes, coastal sighting points, and the Aeolian Islands (Lipari), together with an elegant cartouche containing the graphic scale in the lower right corner. Presentation: Professionally mounted within an elegant cream museum-quality passe-partout, finished with a slender inner gilded edge; ready for an upscale frame. Condition: Excellent/Very good vintage condition. Signature: No autograph signature present, but the exact editorial attribution is incised on the plate: "Published under the Superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge" and "J. & C. Walker Sculpt." Dimensions of the print: 32.7 cm x 41 cm. The lot will be adequately packed and shipped with contracted couriers and online tracking. For this lot, shipments outside the European Community are not made.