Mississipi…

Title

Mississipi…

Description

Magnificent map of Louisiana with the eastern US states to Florida and the Bahamas. Also three cartouches showing, for example, Niagara Falls and the Native Americans with a bison.

ca. 1710

Artist

Homann (1664-1724)

Johann Babtiste Homann (1664-1724), Nuremberg, was born in Oberkammlach, the Electorate of Bavaria. Although educated at a Jesuit school, and preparing for an ecclesiastical career, he eventually converted to Protestantism and from 1687 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 a recommendation for potential customers. In 1716 Homann published his masterpiece Grosser Atlas ueber die ganze Welt (Grand Atlas of all the World). Numerous maps were drawn up in cooperation with the engraver Christoph Weigel the Elder, who also published Siebmachers Wappenbuch. Homann died in Nuremberg. He was succeeded by the Homann heirs company, which was in business until 1848. The company was known as Homann Erben, Homanniani Heredes, or Heritiers de Homann abroad.

Historical Description

The discovery of America signifies the first sighting of the American continent by seafarers. Before Columbus' arrival in 1492, North America may have had more inhabitants than Europe at that time. In 1497, the Genoese John Cabot (actually: Giovanni Caboto) was the first European to set foot on North American soil since the Vikings. However, no permanent settlements were established for the time being. St. Augustine in Florida, founded by the Spanish in 1565, is considered the first city on the North American mainland and is also the oldest city in the United States. In the European conquest of North America, four states stood out, each of which facilitated the seizure: England was under pressure to emigrate, in part because of religion, and thus was able to represent the largest group numerically. France had special skills in dealing with indigenous peoples, which later led to the only mixed ethnic group, the Métis .Netherlands had the financial resources to establish colonies in North America. Spain had enormous military potential because of its battle experience. In 1604, the King of England, James I, divided his North American colonies as follows: The area from the 1st to the 41st parallel is said to be settled by the Virginia Company of London, the area from the 41st to the 45th degree by the Plymouth Company. 1607 is considered the founding year of the first permanent colony of English settlers on the east coast of America. There was a collision between three cultures: Indians, white settlers and slaves from Africa. In that year, the first settlers from England landed at Jamestown, followed by the (better known) Pilgrims on the Mayflower in what is now the state of Massachusetts. These could find shelter directly in the abandoned Indian settlements. The coastal Indians were now ready to cooperate and had established Plymouth the English gateway to North America.