Johann Baptist Homann

North and South America: An 18th Century Hand-colored Map by Johann Homann

1720

This detailed hand colored map of South America by Thomas Jefferys was published in London in 1750. The map shows countries, early colonial possessions, towns, rivers, mountains, and...

This is an original 18th century hand-colored map entitled "A New & Correct Chart of All The Known World Laid down according to Mercator's Projection" by Emanuel Bowen. It was published in 1744 in London in John Harris's "Navigantium atque Itinerantium Bibliotheca" or "A Complete Collection of Voyages and Travels". This highly detailed and colorful map depicts the world. as it was known in the mid 18th century. A majority of the northern and central portions of Canada and America are left blank due to the purity of knowledge at the time this map was published. The map is embellished with four Compass Roses in the lower left, lower center, lower right and center, along with many rhumb lines. There a is a decorative title cartouche in the upper left. This colorful, attractive, historical and interesting 1744 map presents the entire world on Mercator's projection as it was understood in the middle part of the 18th century, before the landmark explorations of Captain’s Cook, Vancouver, Wilkes and others. It is an example of a nautical chart, a type of map that was designed specifically for use by mariners. The map is centered on the equator and includes both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The continents of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia are depicted, as well as various islands in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. The map is laid out according to the Mercator projection, a type of cylindrical map projection that was developed in the 16th century by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator. This projection has the advantage of preserving angles and shapes, making it useful for navigation. The map presents a paucity of inland detail, particularly for the Americas, but major cities, geographical landmarks, and regions are included. Ocean currents and Tradewinds are identified, as well as the magnetic declination lines or magnetic variance, which refers to the difference between true north and compass north. The continents are color coded, enhancing the beauty of this map. The three compass roses indicate the directions of the cardinal points. The depiction of the western coast of America, the Pacific and Australia are interesting. There was very little exploration of Australia between the navigations of William Damper in 1699 and Tobias Furneaux in 1773. Most of the maps detail relies on the 17th century Dutch expeditions to Australia's western coast, by Abel Tasman and William Janszoon. Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and New Guinea appear connected to the Australian continent. New Zealand appears as a single landmass. North of New Zealand there is a landmass labelled 'Ter d' St. Esprit' which probably represents the New Hebrides Islands. This map precedes the accurate exploration of the South Pacific and east coast of Australia by Captain James Cook later in the 18th century. The map includes ‘Drakes' Port,' the site where Sir Francis Drake supposedly landed in 1579 during his 1579 circumnavigation of the globe. Here he claimed territory for England, restocked, and repaired his vessels. Drake named the region New Albion. The exact location of Drake's Port is a cartographic mystery. Drake's Harbor is believed to be in the region of San Francisco Bay, Bodega Bay, San Pablo Bay...

This is an original 18th century hand-colored map entitled "An Accurate Map of the East Indies Exhibiting the Course of the European Trade both on the Continent and Islands" by Emanu...

This is an 18th century hand-colored map of the western portions of North America entitled "Carte de la Californie et des Pays Nord-Ouest separés de l'Asie par le détroit d'Anian, ex...

Antique map titled 'America nach Arrowsmiths Weltcharte und dessen Globular Projection (..)'. Map of North and South America. Published by Schneider and Weigel, 1818.

A 17th century hand-colored map of North & South America entitled "Americae Descriptio" by the cartographer Johannes Jansson, published in Jansson's Atlas Minor in Amsterdam in 1628....

Description: Antique map titled 'Nieuwe Kaart van Amerika.' Attractive map of North and South America, the western part of Africa and south west Europe. Source unknown, to be determi...

This is an original antique map titled "Carte Générale et Politique de l'Amérique," depicting the political and geographical features of North and South America. This map, created by Pierre Antoine Tardieu, illustrates the continent's boundaries, major regions, and significant features as understood in the early 19th century. Map Details: - **Title**: Carte Générale et Politique de l'Amérique - **Creator**: Pierre Antoine Tardieu (1784-1869) - **Publication Date**: Early 19th century - **Dimensions**: Approximately 34.5 x 43.5 cm (13.5 x 17.25 inches) - **Features**: The map includes detailed representations of North and South America, highlighting political boundaries, major cities, rivers, and mountain ranges. The title cartouche is located in the lower right corner, and the outlines are hand-colored to distinguish different regions and countries. Condition Overview: 1. Paper Quality: The paper shows typical signs of aging, such as slight yellowing, but remains in good condition without major tears or damage. 2. Edges and Corners: The edges are slightly worn, with minor fraying and small tears, particularly near the center fold. These imperfections do not significantly impact the overall readability or aesthetic value. 3. Center Fold: A center fold is present, which is common for maps of this period that were often folded for storage or publication. The fold appears intact without significant separation or damage, except for a small split at the lower end. 4. Color and Print Quality: The hand-colored outlines remain vibrant and clear, highlighting the borders of different regions. The print quality is excellent, with sharp, legible text and detailed illustrations. 5. Staining and Spots: There are a few spots and stains, particularly near the edges and along the fold. These do not obscure any critical details of the map. Historical Context Around the year 1800, the Americas were a region of significant political change and exploration. Here’s an overview of the region during that period: Political Landscape 1. North America: - United States: The United States was a young nation, having gained independence from Great Britain in 1776. The early 19th century was a period of westward expansion and the establishment of new states. - Canada: Canada was divided into British colonies, including Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec). The British maintained control over these territories following the American Revolution. - Mexico: Mexico was part of the Spanish Empire, known as New Spain. It would gain independence from Spain in 1821. 2. Central and South America: - Spanish Colonies: Much of Central and South America was under Spanish colonial rule. Significant regions included New Granada (Colombia), Peru, and the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata (Argentina). - Portuguese Brazil: Brazil was a Portuguese colony and the largest territory in South America. It would gain independence from Portugal in 1822. - Independence Movements: The early 19th century was marked by independence movements across Latin America, led by figures such as Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, which resulted in the creation of new nations. 3. Caribbean: - The Caribbean islands were controlled by various European powers, including Spain, France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands. These islands were significant for their sugar plantations and as hubs of the Atlantic slave trade. Socio-Economic Conditions 1. Trade and Commerce: - The Americas were integral to global trade, exporting commodities such as sugar, tobacco, cotton, and coffee. The port cities of Havana, Veracruz, and Buenos Aires were crucial trade...