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M-10640: (Image : 18 ¾  x 22 ¼ ’’)  “MAGNA BRITANNIA complectens ANGLIÆ, SCOTIÆ ET HIBERNIÆ REGNA...” Nuremberg: Johann Baptist Homann, c. 1707-39. Fine engraved 18^th century map with original hand-coloring. (Ref: Shirley, Printed Maps of the British Isles 1650-1750).

This is the third state, second plate of the British Isles by Homann with the portrait of King George II in armor in the cartouche (replacing Queen Anne) and his coat-of-arms re-engraved. The map depicts all of Great Britain – with each country in contrasting colors.  Provinces and counties are named and delineated. Topographical features are very well defined with most major towns, cities, mountains, land routes and water routes identified. The decorative cartouche in the upper right includes cherubs, an allegorical representation of Europe resting on a globe, the portrait of King George, and a crowned lion and unicorn holding the British coat-of-arms. 

Homann produced maps that were exceptional for their clarity & comprehensiveness. “The founder of the dominant dynasty of German 18^th century cartographers...He was one of the first to color his maps at origin...” (Portinaro & Knirsch The Cartography of North America, p. 315).