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Belgii Pars Septenrionalis Communi Nomine Vulgo Hollandia (Netherlands – Holland, shows New York City)
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This map showing the northern part of Belgium, commonly called Holland, appeared in Homann’s Atlas Scholasticus. The title page of the atlas is labeled “Atlas Minor XXVI. Selectarum Tabularum Geographicum Homanni Secundum Methodum Huberni aliorumque recentorium geographorum dispositus et recognitus” – which translates as a selection of 26 geographic maps by Homann, arranged and revised according to the method of Hübner and other recent geographers. This scarce atlas, referred to as a Kleiner (meaning small/minor) atlas, included 26 selected maps by Homann, guided by Johann Hubner. This atlas also included a copper engraved, hand-colored title page as frontispiece from the Atlas Novus Terrarum Orbis Imperia by M. Rössler. Based on research, this atlas was most likely compiled between 1720 – 1737.
This brightly colored map is a richly detailed early 18th-century engraving of the Dutch Republic—the northern provinces of the Low Countries, which by then had long been independent from Spain. Despite the use of the word Belgium (Belgii), which in early modern Latin referred to the entire Low Countries, the map specifically highlights the United Provinces, better known to contemporaries as Holland, the dominant province whose name came to stand for the republic as a whole. Two insets are included in this map, showing the Dutch empires global reach. One inset is Southeast Asia, including a view of Batavia (on Java). To the right of the cartouche, is an inset of the colony in America, with a view of New Amsterdam and shows place names including New Jorck, Lange Eylant and Manhattans. The geography is carefully rendered, with hand-colored borders distinguishing the seven provinces: Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Friesland, and Groningen. Important rivers such as the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt are meticulously traced, while cities including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht are prominently marked. The intricate network of canals, dikes, and polders underscores the Dutch mastery of water management.
Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724) was a mapmaker who founded the famous Homann 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. That privilege was noted on his maps as “Cum Priviligio.” 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 map plates and management of the company passed to his son, Johann Christoph (1703-1730). In Johann Christoph’s will, he stipulated that the company would be inherited by his two head managers – and that it would publish only under the name “Homann Heirs.” The firm continued in business until 1848.
Condition: Very Good - brightly colored
Medium: Copper Engraving
Map Maker: Johann Baptist Homann
Coloring: Original Hand Color
Year: ca. 1720
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