1929 Darwin Teilhet Woodcut Map of Heidelberg, Germany

Marvelously graphic, this is Darwin LeOra Teilhet's c. 1929 pictorial map of 'Old Heidelberg.' The map is, as the title suggests, a modern woodcut describing the historic Heidelberg center in a pictorial style. The map is oriented to the south and centered on the Neckar River. It focuses on historical locations, many of which are identified pictorially.

The Mystery Novelist's Map

This map was likely drawn in the context of Teilhet's most important novel, the 1934 The Talking Sparrow Murders. The novel took place in Heidelberg, where Teilhet lived in 1928 and 1929. It communicates Teihet's horror at the crimes being committed against the Jewish people under Adolf Hitler, and also sadness for Germany itself, in particular Heidelberg, which he loved, but felt was losing its own history to single-minded fascism. Teilheit highlights historic events in Heidelberg's history, as well as the city's funicular, post office, and main streets.

Publication History and Census

The map was drawn by Teilhet and engraved by J. Hörning of Heidelberg's University Press. It was engraved onto multiple wooden plates which were then assembled, printed, and overprinted in red and yellow to produce this remarkably graphic map. Today, this map is extremely rare. The only other example we are aware of is in the collection of David Rumsey. No examples listed on OCLC.