Rare First State
Fine map of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, published by the Homann Heirs in Nuremberg, circa 1749.
The map was constructed by Tobias Mayer, based upon a manuscrpt map by a Jesuit Missionary, named here as Ioanne Nieprecki, but for whom we have found various references to the names Jan Nieprecki and Peter Nieprecki. We believe him to be Jan Nieprecki (1719-1754).
Nieprecki's map was apparently one of the earliest original maps of the region.
States
Adamovitch lists six states:
- 1749. MAGNI DVCATVS LITVANIAE in svos PALATINATVS et DISTRICTVS DIVISVS simulque exactiore locorum positione, quantum fieri potuit correctus á Tobia Majero. Norimbergae Impensis Homannianorum Heredum. 1749. C.P.S.C.M.G.
- 1751 (at latest). MAGNI DVCATVS LITVANIAE in suos PALATINATVS et DISTRICTVS DIVISVS. delineatus a Rever. Duo. loanne Nieprecki Soc. Jesu, simulque exactiore locorum positione quantum fieri potuit correctus a Tobia Majero. Norimbergae impensis Homannianorum Heredum. 1749. C.P.S.C.M.G.
- 1768. MAGNVS DVCATVS LITVANIAE in suos PALATINATVS et DISTRICTVS DIVISVS. delineatus a Rever. Patre loanne Nieprecki Soc. Jesu, simulque exactiore locorum positione quantum fieri potuit correctus a Tobia Majero. Norimbergae impensis Homannianorum Heredum. 1749. C.P.S.C.M.G.
- c. 1768. MAGNVS DVCATVS LITVANIAE in suos PALATINATVS et DISTRICTVS DIVISVS. delineatus a Rever. Patre loanne Nieprecki Soc. Jesu, simulque exactiore locorum positione quantum fieri potuit correctus a Tobia Majero. Norimbergae impensis Homannianorum Heredum. 1749.
- 1812. MAGN9 DVCATVS LITVANIAE in suos PALATINATVS et DISTRICTVS DIVISVS. delineatus a Rever. Patre loanne Nieprecki Soc. Jesu, simulque exactiore locorum positione quantum fieri potuit correctus a Tobia Majero. Norimbergae impensis Homannianorum Heredum. Emendat 1812.
- c. 1812. Legend added to title cartouche.
Homann Heirs was a German publishing firm that enjoyed a major place in the European map market throughout the eighteenth century. Founded in 1702 by Johann Baptist Homann, the business passed to his son, Christoph, upon Johann’s death in 1724. Christoph died in 1730, aged only 27, and the firm was inherited by subsequent Homann heirs. This altered the name of the company, which was known as Homann Erben, or Homann heirs. The firm continued in business until 1848.