Copper engraving, 478 x 565 mm, hand-colored at the time. Small map of Cagliari inset at lower right. Excellent copy with wide margins. From Atlas geographicus maior. Johann Baptist Homann (1663–1724) founded the famous publishing house in Nuremberg. Johann initially trained to be a priest before converting to Protestantism and working as a notary. In 1702, he founded a publishing house specializing in engravings. The company prospered, becoming the leading map publisher in Germany and a major player in the European map market. In 1715, he was appointed Imperial Geographer of the Holy Roman Empire by Charles VI and became a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences. Homann is best known for his “Grosser Atlas über die ganze Welt.” After Johann's death in 1724, the business passed to his son Christoph (1703–1730). Upon his premature death, the company passed to his subsequent heirs, and the name was changed to Homann Erben, meaning Homann Heirs. The company continued operating until 1848.