HOMANN, Johann Baptist (1663-1724).
Atlas Compeniarius quinquaginta selectarum tabularum geographicarum Homanni.
Nuremberg: Heirs of J.B. Homann, 1748 [maps dated 1741-1749].

Folio (21 x 12 inches). Engraved allegorical title-page from "Atlas Novus" with recent colouring. Letterpress title-page in German and Latin. 50 double-page engraved maps, with original hand-colour in part and/or in outline (quite spotted, with one or two early repairs to verso, one or two maps a bit creased). Contemporary limp panelled calf, with central gilt supra libros of a ducal coronet above a wreath surrounding the number 50 (a bit scuffed, remains of original strap tie loosely inserted).

Purchased from Christie's, 2014 - 3,750 GBP.

Containing maps of the continents and the countries of Europe dated between 1741 and 1749. Maps related to America include: Planispaerium caeleste, Planiglobii terrestris, 1746, and Americae mappa generalis., 1746. Homann's prolific map and atlas production made an invaluable contribution to German regional cartography and had a profound impact on European map publishing in the eighteenth century. Founded in the year 1702, Homann's printing house became so successful that it was credited with the revival of the German printing industry, after what had been a long period of domination by the Dutch. Homann became a member of the Berlin Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1707, and in 1715 was appointed Geographer to the Emperor. By the time of his death in the year 1724, Homann had published more than 200 maps for his atlases. Under the direction of his son and son-in-law the firm would thrive well into the next century. Cf. Phillips 3498 and 3499.