Tabula Geographica Campaniae specialis…

Title

Tabula Geographica Campaniae specialis…

Description

Map of total Champagne. On the top view of Reims and Troyes with a beautiful Cartouche.

ca. 1725

Artist

Homann Erben (1724-1780)

Johann Babtiste Homann (1664-1724) 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

Champagne is a landscape and historical province in north-eastern France. Its historical capital is the city of Troyes. In ancient times, Champagne was the settlement area of the Celtic Catalauni. After the conquest of Gaul (58-51 BC) by Gaius Julius Caesar, it became part of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. Alongside Saint-Denis, Reims became the most important religious center in France. Until 1825, all French kings were crowned and anointed in Reims Cathedral. During the Middle Ages, Champagne was a county whose counts were among the most powerful princes in France. Thanks to the great fairs in Reims and Troyes, the region became one of the most economically important in Europe. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the textile and metal industries developed here, losing some of their importance after 1930 and all of it after 1970.