Antique Print-DOUBLE HEMISPHERE-WORLD-MAPPE MONDE-Lowtiz-Homann-1746

Subject: Antique print, titled: ‘Planiglobii Terrestris. Mappe Monde. ‘ – Double hemisphere world map. Several small insep maps show the North and South poles, also in Nuremberg projection. Two small insets show sun solstices.

Condition: Excellent, given age. Original middle fold, as issued. Small tear in right top margin, middle fold and in lower margin of middle fold, reinforced using contemporary paper backed with acid free archival tape. Some small stains in lower part of midle fold and in margin. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

Medium: Original handcoloured etching/engraving  on laid paper.

Size (in cm): The overall size is ca. 62.9 x 51.7 cm. The image size is ca. 56.2 x 48 cm.

Size (in inch): The overall size is ca. 24.8 x 20.4 inch. The image size is ca. 22.1 x 18.9 inch.

Part Number: 51958

Location: PCO-P3-15 / Expo-161

Description: Source unknown, to be determined.

Artists and Engravers: Made by ‘Johann Baptist Homann’ after ‘G.M. Lowitz’. Following the long period of Dutch domination, the Homann family became the most important map publishers in Germany in the eighteenth century, the business being founded by J.B. Homann in Nuremberg about the year 1702. Soon after publishing his first atlas in 1707 he became a member of the Berlin academy of Sciences and in 1715 he was appointed Geographer to the Emperor. After the founder’s death in 1724, the firm was continued under the direction of his son until 1730 and was then bequeathed to his heirs on the condition that it trades under the name of Homann Heirs. The firm remained in being until the next century and had a wide influence on map publishing in Germany. Apart from the atlases the firm published a very large number of individual maps. The Homanns produced a Neuer Atlas in 1714, a Grosser Atlas in 1737, and an Atlas Maior with about 300 maps in 1780. They also issued a special Atlas of Germany with full sized plans of principal cities, school atlases and an Atlas of Silesia in 1750 with 20 maps.