War of Jenkin's Ear
Striking pair of harbor plans of Havana and Cartagena, published in the early years of the Battle of the Cartagenas de Indias, also known as the War of Jenkin's Ear.
The plan of Havana includes a large key with 11 places identified, plus a birdseye view of the harbor and an ornate cartouche, compass rose, soundings, etc.
The plan of Cartagena includes numerous ships anchored off of Fort St .Cruz and outside the harbor, compass rose, rhumb lines, soundings, fortifications, roads and an extensive explanation of the harbor's history, dating to Drake and before.
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.