HOMANN, Johann Baptist (1664 – 1724) – INSULARUM MALTAE et GOZAE – 1720c

Description

HOMANN, Johann Baptist (1664 – 1724) – 1720c

Title of Map: INSULARUM / MALTAE / et / GOZAE

Cartographer: Ioh. Baptista Homann Publisher: Homann Place: Nuremberg

Year: c 1720

Engraving size: 483 x 575mm

Printing method: copper engraving.

Contemporary colouring The words Cum Privilegio. S.C.M. were inserted on the engraved lines beneath Norinbergae. The plate has been partly re-worked, particularly on the clouds at the bottom of the title, where the white areas have been obliterated. Homann’s map must have been very popular, apparently preceding by just a few years the map of Malta by Matthäus Seutter.

Original old colouring. With great figure title-cartouche, a cartouche with the scale of map held by 2 cherubs and another cartouche with inset fortification plan of Valletta with a coat-of-arms and a panoramic view of Valletta. 48,5:58 cm . A very decorative map of Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724) was a mapmaker who founded the famous Homann Heirs publishing company. He 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. 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. Most importantly for his business, his reputation and contacts gained him imperial printing privileges which protected his publications and recommended him to customers. Johann is best known for this Grosser Atlas ueber die ganze Welt, or the Grand Atlas of the World, published in 1716.

After Johann died in 1724, the business passed to his son, Christoph (1703-1730). Upon Christoph’s early death, the company passed to subsequent heirs, with the name of the company changing to Homann Erben, or Homann Heirs. The firm continued in business until 1848.