Rare Old Map of German Fairytales, 1960: Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, Grimm Tales, Deutsche Bundesbahn

Step into the enchanting world of German folklore with this meticulously crafted map, "With the German Federal Railroad through the Land of Fairytales." Created by Leo Faller and issued by the Deutsche Bundesbahn around 1960, this pictorial map offers a delightful journey through the rich tapestry of Germany's fairy tale heritage. The map beautifully illustrates the timeless tales collected by the Grimm brothers, whose works have captivated generations. From the adventures of Little Red Riding Hood to the cunning exploits of Puss in Boots, each story is vividly brought to life, making this map a treasure trove of cultural history.

The map is not just a visual delight but also a detailed geographical representation of Germany. Cities and towns are labeled with precision, while highways and rivers snake their way across the country, providing a comprehensive view of the landscape. The municipalities are marked with block lettering in pink boxes, and the fairy tales are highlighted with yellow banners, making it easy to navigate through this fantastical land. The inclusion of an inset map titled "German frontiers as of 1937" adds a layer of historical context, reflecting the political landscape of the time.

What sets this map apart is its historical significance. The labels "Soviet Zone" and "Democratic Republic" firmly date it to the Cold War era, offering a glimpse into a divided Germany. This juxtaposition of fairy tale whimsy with the stark reality of political division makes the map a fascinating artifact of its time. It serves as a reminder of how cultural heritage can endure and thrive even amidst political upheaval. The map’s detailed illustrations and historical references make it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the cultural and political history of Germany.

The artistic style of the map is another aspect that makes it truly unique. The vibrant colors and intricate illustrations capture the essence of each fairy tale, transporting the viewer into a world of magic and wonder. From the towering castles to the dense forests, every element is meticulously detailed, reflecting the rich imagination of the Grimm brothers and the skill of the mapmaker. The decorative borders and motifs further enhance its visual appeal, making it not just a map but a work of art.

Owning this map is like holding a piece of history in your hands. It offers a unique blend of cultural, geographical, and historical insights, making it a perfect addition to any collection. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of fairy tales, or simply someone who appreciates fine art, this map is sure to captivate your imagination. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of stories and the intricate tapestry of history, making it a truly luxurious and meaningful acquisition.

Places on this map

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Munich
• Frankfurt
• Cologne
• Stuttgart
• Düsseldorf
• Leipzig
• Dresden
• Bremen
• Hanover
• Nuremberg
• Essen
• Dortmund
• Bonn
• Mannheim
• Karlsruhe
• Wiesbaden
• Münster
• Augsburg

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations of fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White, and the Pied Piper.
• Cities and towns labeled throughout Germany.
• Highways and rivers depicted across the country.
• Yellow banners marking the locations of various fairy tales.
• An inset map showing "German frontiers as of 1937".
• Labels indicating "Soviet Zone" and "Democratic Republic".
• Detailed illustrations of characters and scenes from fairy tales.
• Borders and decorative elements around the map.
• Historical landmarks and significant cities.
• Detailed geographical features such as mountains, forests, and rivers.
• The map's title and legend in the top left corner.
• The Deutsche Bundesbahn (German Federal Railroad) logo.
• Pictorial representations of different regions in Germany.
• Decorative compass rose.
• Illustrations of famous German castles and landmarks.
• The map's decorative border with fairy tale motifs.
• Labels indicating historical regions and cities.
• Illustrations of traditional German costumes and folklore.
• Detailed depiction of the German landscape.
• The map's vibrant and colorful design.
• Historical context provided by the map's labels and illustrations.
• The map's educational and cultural significance.
• Illustrations of famous German literary figures.
• Detailed depiction of fairy tale characters and scenes.
• The map's historical and cultural references.
• The map's artistic and illustrative style.
• The map's detailed and informative design.
• The map's focus on German cultural heritage.

Historical and design context

• Created by Leo Faller and issued by the Deutsche Bundesbahn around 1960.
• Highlights tales from the renowned publishers, Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, also known as the Grimm brothers.
• The Grimm brothers published several editions of their fairy tale collections, starting in 1812 with 86 stories, and by the seventh edition in 1857, they had compiled 211 different fairy tales.
• The map provides a cultural and historical perspective on Germany's fairy tale heritage.
• Reflects the political context of the Cold War, with labels such as "Soviet Zone" and "Democratic Republic" indicating the division of Germany during that period.
• The map is highly detailed and pictorial, with illustrations depicting various fairy tales.
• Cities and towns are labeled in block lettering within pink boxes.
• Yellow banners mark the locations associated with different fairy tales.
• An inset map titled "German frontiers as of 1937" adds a layer of historical context.
• The map’s detailed illustrations and historical references make it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the cultural and political history of Germany.
• The vibrant colors and intricate illustrations capture the essence of each fairy tale.
• The decorative borders and motifs further enhance its visual appeal, making it not just a map but a work of art.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.