Magna Britannia by Johann Baptist Homann

Code: 53739

Date Circa 1705

Copper engraving with original hand colouring.Overall size : 58.6cms.x 49.7cms. Image size :  575mm x 485mm.Title in highly decorative cartouche.Five scales of distance.  A very decorative map of the British Isles, with arresting large format cartouche, coat of arms and portrait of Queen Anne and an allegorical representation of Europe resting on a globe.   From Homann's Atlas Novus Terrarum.    Five scales of distance.  Some rust marking centrefold top, some old underlining of major towns e.g. London, Norwich etc, marks to margin and odd spot in blank areas but highly decorative map with vibrant hand colouring.

Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724), his son, Christoph (1703-30), and heirs are acknowledged to be the most important German map publishing firm of the 18th century. The firm was founded in Nurnberg about 1702. In 1715, Homann was appointed Geographer to the Emperor, Charles VI. Upon Johann's death, the firm was continued by his son, Christoph until 1730 when the firm passed to the heirs on the condition that they publish under the name "Homann Heirs". (Moreland and Bannister, p. 84-85).

(Shirley, Printed Maps of the British Isles 1650-1750, Moreland and Bannister).