In 1692 Johann Ulrich Müller (1633-1715) published a small geographical work entitled “Geographia Totius Orbis Compendiaria”. To illustrate both works Müller provided a new series of 103 maps. Mostly unsigned, it would seem that the engraver was one of the Bodenehr family. G. C. Bodenehr signs the engraved frontispiece. Tooley’s ‘Dictionary of Mapmakers’ declares the relationships between the various Bodenehrs of the period have not been determined and identifies three G. Bodenehrs. Gabriel, elder and younger, and Georg Conrad (1663-1710), who may well be our engraver. Other authorities assign them to one of the Gabriels.

A further expanded edition was published in 1702, under the title ‘Neu=aussgefertiger Kleiner Atlas’ in Ulm by Georg W. Kuehnen offered here, and in Frankfurt by Johann Philipp Andrea. These later expanded editions are rare, only the Wardington example has been recorded at auction since 1993. The map depicts Egypt and the River Nile. Gabriel Bodenehr is entitled Atlas Minor sive Orbis Terrae. Refer to King (2003) pp. 25 & 160B1; Phillips (1909-) no. 512; Shirley (2004) T.Mull-1a; Tooley’s ‘Dictionary’.