Original antique map of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark, originally published around 1720 by the German cartographer Johann Baptist Homann.
Its full Latin title is "Tabula Generalis Iutiae continens Dioeceses Quatuor, Alburgensem, Wiburgensem, Ripensem et Arhusiensem.... " Translated, it means "General Map of Jutland, containing the four dioceses—Aalborg, Viborg, Ribe, and Aarhus—which are further divided into all their territories".
The map highlights towns, forests, and topography with exquisite detail. It is particularly celebrated for its large, decorative pictorial cartouche, which features illustrations of the Danish king and queen.
Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724) was a mapmaker who founded the famous Homann Heirs 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. Johann is best known for the "Grosser Atlas ueber die ganze Welt", (Grand Atlas of the World), published in 1716.
After Johann died in 1724, the business passed to his son, Christoph (1703-1730). Upon Christoph’s early death, the company passed to subsequent heirs, with the name of the company changing to Homann Erben, or Homann Heirs. The firm continued in business until 1848.
