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This striking regional map of Germany, created around 1720, centers on the Rhine River Valley, extending from Beinheim and Lueterburg to St. Goar and Ober Wesel, and is centered around Worms and Mannheim.
The map also depicts Heidelberg, Kaiserslautern, Frankfurt, Mainz, Phillipsburg, Frankenthal, and numerous other fortified cities. It provides detailed illustrations of roads, rivers, lakes, mountains, towns, and fortified cities, showcasing the intricate landscape and urban planning of the region.
In the early 18th century, the Rhine River Valley was a region of significant strategic and economic importance. It was characterized by a series of conflicts and territorial disputes, particularly during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). This conflict involved most of the great powers of Europe, including France, Spain, Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, Austria, and the Holy Roman Empire, and had profound implications for the political landscape of the Rhine Valley.
The large decorative allegorical cartouche in the map includes a military scene and a coat of arms. This cartouche is rich with symbolism, reflecting the militaristic and political themes of the time. It features figures in classical attire, cherubs, and military equipment, illustrating the region's historical and contemporary significance. The cartouche serves not only as an artistic embellishment but also as a visual representation of the power and influence wielded by the entities controlling the region.
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.
![Ducatus Saxoniae Superioris prout ipsius conditio fuit ab Anno 1000 usque ad A. 1400 sive intra Seculum Xm. et XVm. ex historia maxime mediae aetatis erutus, ac Geographice designatus per [F]rid. Zollmann...](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/71443.jpg)
![Eschwege [with] Fritzlar](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/100673.jpg)