Plan of Madrid

Homann, Johann Baptist Madrid "Accurater grundriß der Konigl.spanischen Haupt und Residentz Stadt Madrit mit denen Prospecten des Konige Schlosses und andern Lust Gubænen.." Nuremberg Homann, Johann Baptist. 1730
Copper engraved town plan of Madrid from Johann Bapt. Homann's "Grosser Atlas.". Original full colour, verso blank.
The town plan shows the city with the royal palaces and gardens; two black & white vignettes to corners; 4 views below of: the Royal palace; Place Mayor with bullfight; the Royal pleasure gardens, Buen Retiro and a view of Hermitage St. Antonio de la Florida, [black & white as issued]. Slightly weak impression, but generally clean except for some soiling to margins, heavier to lower corners; short tear, repaired, to upper margin; "MADRID'" in biro to verso.

Johann Baptist Homann (1664 – 1724)
from 1687 Homann worked as a civil law notary in Nuremberg. He soon turned to engraving and cartography; in 1702 he founded his own publishing house.
Homann acquired renown as a leading German cartographer, and in 1715 was appointed Imperial Geographer by Emperor Charles VI. Giving such privileges to individuals was an added right that the Holy Roman Emperor enjoyed. In the same year he was also named a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin. Of particular significance to cartography were the imperial printing privileges (Latin: privilegia impressoria). These protected for a time the authors in all scientific fields such as printers, copper engravers, map makers and publishers. They were also very important as recommendation for potential customers.
In 1716 Homann published his masterpiece "Grosser Atlas ueber die ganze Welt" Numerous maps were drawn up in cooperation with the engraver Christoph Weigel the Elder,
Homann died in Nuremberg. He was succeeded by the Homann heirs company, in business until 1848, known as "Homann Erben", "Homanniani Heredes", "Heritiers de Homann" abroad.
Fauser, 8265. 490 by 594mm (19¼ by 23½ inches).   ref: 2528  €750