Johann Baptist Homann; c1663-1724.
Johann Christoph Homann, son; 1703-1730.
Homann heirs:
Johann Michael Franz; 1700-1761.
Johann Matthias Hase;1684-c1742. Aka Hasius.
Johann Georg Ebersperger; 1695-1760.
Homann established his map publishing business in Nuremberg
in 1702. He printed loose maps, but specialized in the production
of atlases. He developped a style of large and detailed maps,
with complex and ornate cartouches. He often borrowed from
known cartographers (such as Delisle, d'Anville and Chassereau),
often giving proper credit to the sources.
His first atlas earned him in 1707 a membership at the Berlin
Academy of Sciences. He was soon nominated Geographer to the
Emperor.
His son took over the business in 1724, which he then bequeathed
to his heirs, under the express condition of operating under
the mane of 'Homann Heirs". The firm continued to turn in atlases
into the next century. Of note: the 1702 "Atlas Novus Terrarum"
re-edited till 1753, Neuer atlas, grosser atlas, and in 1747
the "Homannisher Atlas" re-issued till 1780, etc.
Mappa geographica, complectens I. Indiae occidentalis...
This large composition map (19 ¼ " X 23 3/8") is one of
the most instantly recognizable map of the Caribbean/Gulf
of Mexico area. It was probably prepared for the 1746 Grosser
Atlas.
It is very typical of the works produced by the Homanns: large
and ornate cartouche, detail lists of remarkable sites, numerous
insets,. and credits given to the authors from which the maps
are taken. Most of the maps shown here were copied from the
1730 "Histoire de l'isle Espagnole ou de Saint Domingue" written
by the jesuit father Pierre François-Xavier Charlevoix.
The large central map was originally drawn by Jean Baptiste
Bourguignon d'Anville for Charlevoix's Saint Domingue. The
author issued in 1731 a slightly larger remake, which is used
here. Typical d'Anville work: fastidiously detailed, replete
with place names, and up to date (note the absence of Georgia,
still to be established by Oglethorpe in 1732).
The two bottom insets (Veracruz and Santo Domingo), marked
with "Saint domingue" as source, are in the style of Jacques
Nicolas Bellin. Not surprising, since Charlevoix had been
granted access to the map depository of the Dépôt Général
de la Marine, where Bellin was the first hydrographer.
The painstakingly detailed bottom birds eye view of Mexico
Cityis derived from an engraving by Arnold Montanus.
The top central cartouche shows the cornucopia of the new
world: precious stones, gold, tobacco bales, sea shells.
The top right inset of San Augustine is of unknown origin,
but its minimalist style (and the writing in english) is reminiscent
of Robert Morden's.
While the top left inset of Panama (showing the "Camino Real")
is of an unknown french origin (or possibly inspired by a
Isaac Tirion map).
No text on verso.
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