A lovely first state fresh example of one of the most attractive maps of the region, before the addition of a privilege. This map centred on Virginia was published by Johann Baptist Homann in 1714 it is one of his earliest productions. The famous German firm of cartographic publishers was founded by Homann (1663-1724) in 1702 in Nuremberg. In 1707 he published the “Neuer Atlas” whose success continued for many years. Homann died in 1724. The map depicts the east coast of American from New Jersey to the Carolinas taking in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. New Jersey is divided into East and West New Jersey. The Carolinas are shown in some detail with a number of counties named. However the by now old idea of a large inland lake persists. The entire western region is named Florida and is bordered to the north west by Lake Erie.

It is however in Virginia that the importance of the map is found with the growing interest in Germany to emigrate to the English colonies. “Germantown Teutsche Statt” is placed at the headwaters of the Rappahanock. Governor Alexander Spotswood’s colony of German miners at Germanna (“Germantown”) is the first settlement in the Virginia Piedmont. Another of Governor Spotswood’s projects is featured to the south of Germantown. “Christ Anna fort” was established in 1714 by Spotswood to protect the Indians from more hostile tribes such as the Tuscarora and to enable trade with the inland natives. It would later become the headquarters of the Virginia Indian Company, a joint stock company established by the Virginia Assembly in 1714. Spotswood was its president.

The map is finished with one of the most attractive title cartouches seen. It depicts natives trading the extensive products of the country with the colonials. In the background fish are being dried. Cumming, W.P. (SE) #156, pl.46; Morrison, On The Map, figure #27, pp. 42-44; Papenfuse 24; Pritchard & Taliaferro pp.106-109.