This large finely
engraved beautifully hand coloured original antique map
of Virginia, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, the Carolina's,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and parts
west of the Apalchians, was published by J.B Homann in
1715.
An exceptionally beautiful example of J. B. Homann's
1715 map of Virginia, Carolina, Maryland, and New
Jersey; considered one of the most important and
decorative maps of is region to appear in the 18th
century. This fine decorative map covers from New York
City and Long Island south along the Atlantic Cost as
far as modern day Georgia, and as far west as Lake Erie.
Homann drew this map in response to Virginia
Lieutenant-Governor Alexander Spotswood's plan to
settled the little known interior of Virginia with
German immigrants. Shown here is the first mapping of
Germantown Teutsche Statt on the Rappahanock River and
Fort Christanna (Christ Anna Fort) on the Makharing
River. Fort Christanna was built with the intention of
defending the region against incursions from hostile
American Indian groups such as the Tuscarora to the
west. Christanna also acted as the headquarters of the
Virginia Indian Company, a stock venture founded in 1714
with the intention of trading with indigenous groups in
the interior.Though Homann's remarkable representation
of Spottswood's plan is extraordinarily up-to-date
considering that Fort Christana was founded in the same
year that this map was initially published, the
remainder of the map embraces a number of common
misconceptions and cartographic inaccuracies common to
the region. Probably the most notable of these is his
inclusion of Apalache Lacus. This fictional lake, the
source of the May River, appeared on maps of this region
since the mid 16th century Le Moyne-De Bry map and was
popularized by Mercator and Hondius in 1606. It would
remain on maps well into the mid 18th century before
exploration and settlement finally disproved the theory.
Further north Lake Erie and been expanded dramatically
and shifted somewhat to the south where it takes on the
appearance of a vast inland sea occupying the entire
northwestern quadrant of the map. This region, west of
the English colonies and north as far as Pennsylvana,
Homann attaches to the Spanish claims in Florida.
Homann's also offers a wealth of detail along the
Atlantic coast, where most of the European colonization
efforts were focused. From Long Island, about two-thirds
of which is shown, south to Craven County, Carolina,
countless towns and cities are identified. New York City
is mapped on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, but
is not specifically labeled. New Jersey is divided into
the colonial provinces of East New Jersey and West New
Jersey. Curiously Homann maps a large inland lake "Zuyd
Lac" straddling the New Jersey - Pennsylvania border.
This is no doubt a early misinterpretation of the
natural widening of the Delaware River at the Delaware
Water Gap. Heading south along the Delaware River
Philadelphia is identified and beautifully rendered as a
grid embraced in four quadrants. Both the Delaware Bay
and the Chesapeake Bay are rendered in full and even
include a number of undersea notations and depth
soundings. In Virginia and Carolina the river systems
are surprisingly well mapped and a primitive county
structure is beginning to emerge. The early Virginia
counties of Rappahannock, Henrico, City, Isle of Wright,
Nansemond, Northumberland, Middlesex, Gloster and
Corotvk are noted. Similarly in Carolina a number of
counties are named, most of which refer to the Lords
Proprietors, including Albemarle, Clarenden, and Craven.
Cape Fear, Cape Lookout, and Cape Hattaras are noted and
a number of anchorages, reefs, and depth sounding are
noted along the entire coastline.The lower right
quadrant of this map is occupied by a fabulous
decorative title cartouche. Centered on an enormous
scallop shell bearing the map's title and Homann's
Privilege, the cartouche features a number of stylized
American Indians trading with European merchants. The
wealth of the region is expressed by an abundance of
fish, game, and other trade products. Curling behind the
scallop shell is a gigantic stylized alligator looking
like nothing so much as a mediaeval dragon. The
inclusion of Homann's Provildge in the title cartouche
helps us to date this map to about 1715, when Homann was
granted the right to add this royal distinction to his
maps.
(Ref: Tooley; M&B)
General
Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - off white
Age of map color: - Original & later
Colors used: - Yellow, green, blue, pink
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: -
24in x 20
1/2in
(610mm x 530mm)
Plate size: - 23in x 19
1/2in
(580mm x 490mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - Light soiling
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None
If you wish to discuss this or any other item
please email or call - good luck, Simon.
Classical Images
61 (0) 409 551910 Tel
simon@classicalimages.com
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