M-12537: (Image: 17 3/4 x
20 7/8'') ''PLANIGLOBII TERRESTRIS Mappa
Universalis...'' J. M. Haas
(Professor of Mathematics at Wittenberg). Nuremberg:
Homann Heirs, c. 1746. Engraved map with
original hand coloring (cartouche later color).
This decorative map depicts the world in
two hemispheres with one cartouche in Latin, and the other in French. Although California is rejoined to the
continent (Homann maps often depicted it as an island), the northwest region is
still a mystery and left blank. The name ''America'' is divided between the
Northern and Southern continents. The Australian continent is shown partially
delineated. Topographical features are shown throughout with countries, major
cities, waterways and mountains identified. The globes at the center top and
bottom show the world from the Northern and Southern Polar regions. The two oblique spheres in the corners show
(right) the world centered on Nuremberg (where Homann died in 1724) and (left)
its antipode. The two smaller circles
are solar diagrams. The title cartouches are a highly decorative baroque style
with allegorical figures, plants and animals.
The Latin title cartouche in
the top left corner is decorated with the figure of Triton, son of Poseidon and
Amphitrite, the god and goddess of the sea. He is shown blowing on his conch
shell which he used to calm and raise the ocean waves and to his left is his
sea horse. The right title cartouche is a festoon, decorated with animals, a
parrot and four crowns representing the known continents (Europe, Asia, Africa
and America).
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