WORLD CALFORNIA AS ISLAND PLANIGLOBII TERRESTRIS CUM UTROQ HEMISPHAERIO CAELESTI

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This is the First edition and Rare edition of Homann's World map.Published before Homann was given 'cum priviligio'from the Emperor.The map depicts California as an Island.For the second edition circa 1716 California had reverted to a peninsula.

One of the most celebrated cartographers of his day, Johann Baptist Homann established the most successful German publishing house of the eighteenth century. His prolific business, which was inherited by his family after his death, dominated Germany's map market for over a century, and produced some of the finest maps and atlases of the age. He established himself in Nuremberg, and by 1715 was appointed Geographer to the Emperor.

This is a stunning early double hemisphere, which literally swirls with activity. The world is shown in two hemisphere with a double hemisphere representation of the celestial world as construed in Classical astronomy above and below. Outside of these circles are many unusual things. At top is a representation of the heavens with the stars, Sun and Moon, angels and the disembodied heads that provide the winds on Earth. At bottom are representations of unusual phenomena: a volcano erupting, an earthquake, waterspouts, a whirlpool, and a rainbow.

The world map itself, which is derived, according to the title, from Dutch and French maps, includes the trade winds and the routes of several important explorations: Magellan's, Tasman's, and William Dampier's, among others. Recent discoveries in Australia and New Zealand are indicated. In North America, California is an island and the amorphous "Terra Esonis" extends to the west from where Vancouver would eventually be toward Japan.

Excellent condition.

code : M2106

Cartographer : Homann Family

Date : 1707 Nuremberg

Size : 48.5*55cms

availability : Sold

Price : Sold

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Johann Baptist Homann (1664-1724) started his career in Amsterdam as an apprentice with the Danckerts family before returning to Nuremberg to establish himself in business in 1702.

The firm quickly became the principal geographical publishers in Germany and in 1715 Homann was appointed Geographer to the Holy Roman Emperor and he was also a member of the Prussian Royal Academy of Sciences.

His publications included the "Neuer Atlas Ueber Die Gantze Welt ..." in 1707-. The "Grosser Atlas ..." of 1716- and the "Atlas Novus Terrarum Orbis Imperioa" in c.1720, as well as many others. Johann died in 1724 and was succeeded by his son Johann Christoph who died in 1730. After his death the firm took the name Homann's Heirs and continued thereafter until 1813. Publications with the Homann's Heirs' imprint included the "Grosser Atlas" in 1731, Doppelmays'r "Atlas Coelestis ..." in 1742 and the "Atlas Geographicus Maior ..." in 1753-, amongst others. Throughout this entire period the firm were the leading map publishers in Germany, employing a number of very important cartographers