[HOMANN, Johann Christoph (1703-1730)]. Recentissima Asiae Delineatio, Qua Status et Imperia Totius Orientis unacum Orientalibus Indiis exhibentur. Nuremberg: J. B. Homann, [c. 1720].
Original antique map. Engraving with contemporary hand-colouring. Sheet size: 59 x 50cm. Plate mark: 56 x 49cm. The map originates from Johann Baptist Homann’s atlas “Kleiner Atlas von 50. Auserlesenen Homanns Land-Charten, nach methodischer Ordnung … Joh. Hübners … seiner Welt-beliebten Geographischen Fragen eingericht.” Condition: Generally very good, minor browning and small area of smudging.
Notes: First state of an early map of Asia that includes the northern tip of Australia and Papua, New Guinea, by the celebrated German cartographer, J. B. Homann. Johann Baptiste Homann established in the early years of the 18th century the most successful map publishing firm in Germany. His prolific business, which his family continued after his death, dominated Germany's map market for over a century and produced some of the finest maps and atlases of the age. He started the firm in Nuremberg, and, in 1715, he was appointed Geographer to the Emperor. After his death in 1724, his son, Johann Christoph, assumed control of the firm and this is his issue of his father's map of Asia. This is a lovely example includes the northern tip of Australia (Nova Hollandia) Carpentaria, Nova Britannia and the Marianas. Hokkaido is identified as Terra Yedso and the fictional Compagnie Land, to the northeast of Japan. Dampier's passage shown stretching between New Guinea and New Britain and marks his discovery of New Britain in 1700. The map is a wonderful example of Homann's ornate, Baroque style. The title cartouche shows an Asian potentate pointing his scepter at three subjects, who bow on their hands and knees before him. The other cartouche in the upper right corner with a note to the viewer shows a procession of soldiers carrying a Hindu idol followed by men playing gongs, drums and wind instruments. [Tooley, Maps and Map-makers 27, 107-108; Sandler, C.: Johann Baptista Homann, Die Homännischen Erben, Matthäus Seutter und Ihre Landkarten, p. 58, No. 6; Yeo, J.: Mapping the Continent of Asia, No. 109].
