North and South America: An 18th Century Hand-colored Map by Johann Homann

$2,375.00

This early 18th century hand-colored copperplate map of North and South America entitled "Totius Americae Septentrionalis Et Meridionalis Novissima Repraesentatio" was created by Johann Baptist Homann and published in Nuremberg, Germany, between 1710 and 1731. The map details cities, forts, mountains, forests and lakes, as well as districts. There is a decorative cartouche in the lower left which depicts a volcano, scenes representing the people in their native costumes, as well as animals and plants of the Americas. A village is seen in the background on the left. A second smaller decorative cartouche in the upper right includes text and a series of allegorical figures. A large portion if the north central and western portions of North America is left without detail, because the region was largely unexplored at the time this map was created. The map also shows "Terra Esonis Incognita", representing a mythical continuous land bridge from North America to Asia, a northwest passage. The map preceded the French and Indian War, when the French were the dominant influence in the North and the Spanish in the South. The Great Lakes are just now being explored in detail. Many Native American names are used for regions and landmarks on the map.

Creator: Johann Baptist Homann (1664 - 1724, German)

Creation Year: 1720

Dimensions: Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)
Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)

Medium: Engraving

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 1752

This early 18th century hand-colored copperplate map of North and South America entitled "Totius Americae Septentrionalis Et Meridionalis Novissima Repraesentatio" was created by Johann Baptist Homann and published in Nuremberg, Germany, between 1710 and 1731. The map details cities, forts, mountains, forests and lakes, as well as districts. There is a decorative cartouche in the lower left which depicts a volcano, scenes representing the people in their native costumes, as well as animals and plants of the Americas. A village is seen in the background on the left. A second smaller decorative cartouche in the upper right includes text and a series of allegorical figures. A large portion if the north central and western portions of North America is left without detail, because the region was largely unexplored at the time this map was created. The map also shows "Terra Esonis Incognita", representing a mythical continuous land bridge from North America to Asia, a northwest passage. The map preceded the French and Indian War, when the French were the dominant influence in the North and the Spanish in the South. The Great Lakes are just now being explored in detail. Many Native American names are used for regions and landmarks on the map.

Creator: Johann Baptist Homann (1664 - 1724, German)

Creation Year: 1720

Dimensions: Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)
Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)

Medium: Engraving

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 1752

The beautifully hand-colored map is printed on laid chain-linked paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 21" high and 24" wide. There is a vertical center fold, as issued, with mild adjacent discoloration, where the map was bound in the atlas. There is a short area of separation of the lower portion of the center fold, which has been expertly reinforced, as has a small flap at the lower edge of the sheet on the right. There are two small areas of discoloration at the edge of the upper margin, but the map is otherwise in very good condition.

Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724) was a mapmaker who founded a respected and prolific publishing company, which produced some of the most important maps and atlases of the 18th century. The publishing business continued long after his death as Homann Heirs. Homann lived his entire life in Bavaria, particularly in Nuremberg. Initially, Johann trained to become a priest before converting to Protestantism and working as a notary. In 1702, Johann founded a publishing house that specialized in engravings. The firm flourished, becoming the leading map publisher in Germany and an important entity in the European map market. Homann's maps were prized for their high level of accuracy and detailed information. In 1715, Johann was named Imperial Geographer to the Holy Roman Empire by Charles VI and made a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London. Most importantly for his business, his reputation and contacts gained him imperial printing privileges which protected his publications and recommended him to customers. Homann died in Nuremberg on July 1, 1724, leaving behind a legacy of influential cartography and geographic scholarship. His publishing house continued under the management of his son, Johann Christoph Homann, and remained one of the most important map publishers of the 18th century.

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