Cartographic Curiosity: the House of Eberhard Ludwig of Württemburg & Teck

SEUTTER MATTHÄUS Genealogical tree of the House of Eberhard Ludwig of Würtenburg & Teck. "Dem Durchlaughteigsten Fürsten ubd Herrn, Herrn Eberhard Ludwig, Herzogen zu Würtenburg und Teck Grafen zu Mömpelgard, herrn zu Hiidenheim etc .etc...." Augsburg SEUTTER MATTHÄUS 1734
Copper engraved genealogical plate by Matthaus Seutter from his " Grosser Atlas," Original full colour; verso blank.
The image shows a Genealogical tree with a reclining figure below; to the right a vine grows to form the title cartouche, below which sit two allagorical female figureswith a hop garden in the background, surounding them a hunters spoils and geometrical instruments. To the left on the hide of a deer details of the genealogyof the duchy of Würtemburg and Teck
The image portrayed by Seutter reflects what we know of Eberhard Ludwig: he became Duke in 1683 at the age of 16, and showed no excessive interest in governmental affairs. Eberhard Ludwig was described by his contemporaries as superficial and easily influenced. Most importantly, his behavior led to the political fate of the land being greatly decided by his council. The duke preferred hunting and left the administration of his county in the hands his advisors.
Seutter therefore seems to be commenting on the Duke as well as giving the family tree. Dark impression; slight browning at centrefold ; showthrough from verso of old ink nu.mber.

Matthäus Seutter 1(647 –1756)
One of the most important and prolific German map publishers of the 18th century, engraver, globe-maker and publisher.

Born in Augsburg in 1685, the son of a goldsmith. Seutter began his studies in Nuremberg in 1697, apprenticed as an engraver to Johann Baptist Homann. in 1707 later he returned to Augsburg subsequently working in the publishing house of Jeremias Wolff in the city. He founded the Seutter publishing house and print shop in 1710, producing maps, atlases, and globes., which became a primary competitor to Homann. By 1732 Seutter was one of the most prolific publishers of his time and was honored by the German Emperor Charles VI with the title of "Imperial Geographer". Seutter continued to publish until his death, at the height of his career, in 1757.
Very few original maps were printed there, as Augsburg at that time had no university and none of the necessary connections to the fields of mathematics or the natural sciences. Therefore Seutter copied the work of other cartographers, making his own engravings based on their models (approximately 500 pieces).
His "Atlas Geographicus oder Accurate Vorstellung der ganzen Welt' appeared in 1725 with 46 maps: the "Atlas Novus" various editions in 1728, 1730, 1736, 1742; the "Grosser Atlas"in 1734 with 131 maps, and the pocket atlas "Atlas minor in 1744 with 64 maps.
After Matthäus Seutter died in 1757, his son, Albrecht Karl, his son-in-law Conrad Tobias Lotter, and his business partner Johann Michael Probst ran the business for five more years.
580 by 520mm (22¾ by 20½ inches).   ref: 2048  €700