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Sebastian Munster (1489-1552) was one of the first great cartographers, working in the era before the Dutch “modern” cartographers such as Mercator and Ortelius. He studiously compiled the best information available in the sixteenth century, corresponding with scholars all around Europe and visiting book fairs and libraries whenever possible. Munster issued many influential maps in his editions of Ptolemy’s Geographia and his own Cosmographia which were published beginning in 1540.
A hnadsome map from 'the first modern atlas, Abraham Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, or Theater of the World. The publication of this atlas marked an epoch in the history of cartography, for it is the first uniform and systematic collection of maps of the whole world based only on contemporary knowledge since the days of Ptolemy. Through his collecting and his antiques business, Ortelius was able to research contemporary maps, becoming the greatest expert of his day in the bibliography of maps. Ortelius based his work on the best maps available, drawing all the maps himself with the celebrated Frans Hogenberg cutting most of the plates. Unlike other atlas-makers, Ortelius cited the authors of the original maps from which he compiled his work. $350
Girolamo Porro after Giovanni Magini. "Germania." Cologne: Peter Keschedt, 1597. From Giovanni Magini's Geographiae Universaetum Tum Veteris Tum Novae. 5 x 6 5/8. Engraving. Full margins. Very good condition.
Girolamo Porro's modern rendition of Germany, issued in Giovanni Magini's translation of Ptolemy's Geography. Rivers and towns, appear with a good degree of accuracy. The decorative features of the map include bold calligraphy and illustrated mountains, cities and forests. A nice early map of Germany from the end of the sixteenth century. $175
Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) ranks as one of the greatest cartographers in history, not only for the extremely fine maps he produced, but also for the innovations which he introduced into cartographic science. Through his constant accumulation of new geographic and cosmological data, Mercator was able to produce the most accurate and current maps of his day, which unlike most of his contemporaries’ maps were mostly original work. These are fine examples of the Mercator maps of Germany from the 1609 and 1613 editions of his Atlas.
A very detailed map by Gerard Valk, a cartographer and publisher from Amsterdam. This map shows an amazing amount of topographical data, including rivers, lakes, mountains, forests, cities, and a plethora of small villages; all indicated quite clearly by means of the precise engraving and strong impression. It provides an excellent record of Lower Saxony at the end of the seventeenth century. With its interesting title cartouche and original color, this map is also very attractive. $225
J.B. Homann. "Hydrographia Germaniæ . . ." Nuremberg: Homann Heirs, 1737. 19 x 22 5/8. Engraving. Full original hand color. Strong impression. Narrow margins. Separation at centerfold and a few short tears at edges; expertly repaired. Overall, very good condition.
An unusual and very decorative map showing the river systems of ‘Germany.’ The area shown extends from the Baltic and North Seas to the Gulf of Venice and from Belgium to Austria. No political nor orographic information is given; only hydrographic details are revealed. Each river and tributary is delineated and named, and each of the major river valleys is distinguished with a contrasting color. Typically of Homann’s output, two elaborately engraved, uncolored cartouches add great verve to the map. The dedication cartouche is supported by four putti, and the title cartouche is teeming with mythical figures with watery connections. A delightful map. $375
J.B. Homann. "Circulus Saxoniæ Inferioris . . ." Nuremberg: Homann Heirs, ca. 1740. 18 1/2 x 21 3/4. Line engraving. Full original hand color. Full margins. Very good condition.
A German map of Lower Saxony. Like other German maps of the period, this map is particularly noteworthy for its elaborately executed title cartouche in the lower right. A group of mythical figures and natives adorn the title cartouche. A strong and lovely map of one of the German province. $185
L. De La Rochette. "A Map of the German Empire Divided into its Circles to which is added The Kingdom of Prussia." London: Bowles & Carver and R. Wilkinson, 1785. Separately issued, folding map: dissected into 40 sections and mounted on linen. 40 x 47 1/2. Engraving. Small spot in title cartouche. Otherwise, excellent condition. With label indicating sold by William Faden.
A large scale map of the German Empire by Louis De La Rochette. Extensive detail of towns, rivers, forests, roads, political divisions and more is presented with fine, careful engraving. Of particular note is the wonderful, elaborate title cartouche. This shows two German soldiers, some ordnance, and the two headed eagle. $575
F. J. Heger. "A Map of the Post Roads of Germany, and the Adjacent States." London: William Faden, June 1, 1795. Separately issued, folding map: dissected into 32 sections and mounted on linen. 30 1/4 x 37. Engraving. Full, original hand color. Some slight lifting of paper from linen at edges, but overall very good condition. With original slip case with printed label.
This map shows excellent detail of the road system in Germany, as well as the Low Countries, Switzerland, Poland, and the northern part of Austria-Hungary. Each political entity is depicted in a different color, explained in a table in the lower left. The map distinguished between the roads of different types of posts, for instance those which have conveyances which travelers could use, those with and without relays, those for letters only, etc. The frequency of the post is also noted, and symbols indicate Academies and "Cities of the Empire." $450
John Cary. "A New Map of the Circle of Lower Saxony . . ." London: J. Cary, 1801. 18 1/8 x 20 3/8. Line engraving. Original hand color. Full margins. Very good condition.
A highly detailed map of Lower Saxony by John Cary (ca. 1754-1835), the founder of the famous English cartographic firm. From about mid-way through the eighteenth century, British cartographers were the best in the world, and the maps produced by Cary are good examples of the quality they achieved. Detail is copious and precisely delineated, including mountains, roads, rivers, towns, lakes and political divisions. Cary also gives a scale in German & Dutch Miles, British Statute Miles and Common French Leagues. Each duchy has outline color in a contrasting pastel shade, which makes this a crisp, attractive map. Overall, this is a fine map of Northern Germany from the beginning of the nineteenth century. $225
Johann Georg August Galletti. Allgemeine Weltkunde, oder Geographisch-statistisch-historische Übersichtsblätter aller Länder. Leipzig und Perth: Konrad A. Hartleben, 1818. Oblong folio. Original printed wrappers using blue paper. 108 pages and 26 full page, engraved maps. Some maps have engraving credited to "Fr. Karacs." Stains on covers and some maps. Subtle and useful. As found. Ref.: LeGear, Atlases, 6025.
A fascinating atlas issued through the eyes of Europeans who saw the world as a post-Napoleonic structure designed by the Congress of Vienna. Johann Galletti (1750-1828) issued a number of atlases according to LeGear. The Library of Congress owns one with 20 maps dated 1807-10, and LeGear mentions a 12th. edition printed in 1859. The map of the United States of America shows a very strange shape for Ohio with the rest of the old Northwest Territory labeled "Indiana." Dramatically more information is given for roads and topography in Europe than in Africa, Asia or the Western Hemisphere. Much information interestingly presented. $1,600
Anthony Finley. "Prussia." From A New General Atlas. Philadelphia: A. Finley, 1827. 8 3/4 x 11 3/8. Small folio. Engraving by Young & Delleker. Original full hand coloring. With spots and discolorations, mostly in margins. Else, very good condition.
In the 1820's, Anthony Finley produced a series of fine atlases in the then leading American cartographic center, Philadelphia. Finley's work is a good example of the quality that American publishers were beginning to attain. Elegantly presented, with crisp and clear engraving and attractive pastel hand shading, topographical and political information is copious, including counties, towns, rivers, roads, etc. Finley was very concerned to depict the most up-to-date information possible; thus his maps present an accurate picture of the world in the early decades of the nineteenth century. $50
Sidney Hall. "Central Germany, Comprising Saxony, Hesse, Nassau, &c." London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green, 1828. 16 x 19 3/4. Engraving. Original hand outline color. Very good condition.
A clearly presented and handsome map of Central Germany by British cartographer Sidney Hall, issued in London in 1828. Though other countries, including the United States, had by then developed cartographic industries of considerable quality, British map publishers were still the best in the world in the 1820s. The region is bordered by Prussia and Hanover to the North, and Baden, Bavaria and Austria to the South. $175
Maps by Thomas Ewing. From Ewing's New General Atlas. Edinburgh: Olver & Boyd, ca. 1830. 9 1/2 x 7 1/2. Engraving by J.& G. Menzies. Original hand color. Very good condition.
A pair of rare maps from Thomas Ewing's New General Atlas. Ewing issued a number of editions of this fine quarto atlas in the first part of the nineteenth century, containing attractive maps of countries around the world. Published in Ediburgh, the maps were precisely engraved by J.& G. Menzies, who were noted engravers who worked for a number of publishers. The maps contain good detail and careful hatchuring to graphically represent topography. The hand coloring adds a nice flourish to these maps, which are good examples of British mapmaking at a time when it dominated the cartographic world.
Detailed and clearly drawn maps of major cities of Germany by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK). This wonderful English enterprise was devoted to the spreading of up-to-date information and the enhancing of geographical understanding. These precise views of 19th-century geography are splendid examples of the Society's work. Each city map shows the streets, topography and major buildings of the city depicted. Also included are either inset views of the city and its buildings or a series of sketches of the facades of major buildings. Decorative and informative.
Go to page with other city plans by the SDUK.
J.H. Young. "A New Map of Germany." Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait, & Co., 1850. 16 x 12 3/4. Lithographic transfer from engraved plate by J.L. Hazzard. Full original hand color. Very good condition.
A fine map of Germany and Austria. This map was issued in 1850, and shows this region at an interesting period in its history, filled with myriad topographical details, including rivers, towns, political borders and indications of major mountains. The maps issued by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. always showed excellent information on growing road and railroad networks, and this map is no exception. $90
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![[Right portion]](images/munsterwormsright.jpg){kind=link}
