1710 J. B. Homann Map of the British Isles: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales

A beautiful first-edition example of Johann Baptist Homann's 1707-1710 map of Great Britain, including England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The map illustrates the consolidated kingdom of Great Britain formed under Queen Anne by the 1707 Acts of Union. It is one of the first maps of the British Isles united under one monarch.

Publication History and Census

Coverage embraces the British Isles as well as parts of the Netherlands across the English Channel. Color coding divides the map between England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Of note, the border with Wales is set at the River Severn. A finely engraved allegorical cartouche in the upper right sings the praises of Queen Anne and is surprisingly flattering, considering that Great Britain and Bavaria were at odds over the ongoing War of Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714).

1707 Acts of Union

The 1707 Acts of Union were two complementary acts passed under Queen Anne by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland, which came into effect on May 1, 1707, uniting the two kingdoms into a single sovereign state known as the Kingdom of Great Britain. These acts dissolved the separate parliaments of England and Scotland and created a unified Parliament of Great Britain based in Westminster (Ireland remained a separate kingdom under Queen Anne). The union was driven by political, economic, and security concerns, with Scotland seeking economic stability and access to England's colonial trade and England wanting to secure Protestant succession and prevent the risk of a separate Scottish alliance with France. Although the union led to economic benefits over time, it was met with considerable resistance and resentment in Scotland, where many viewed it as a loss of sovereignty. The Acts of Union fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of the British Isles, laying the foundation for modern Britain while fueling tensions and debates about identity and autonomy that continue to resonate in the United Kingdom today.

Publication History and Census

This map was engraved as early as 1707 and, as here, was issued with the 1710 edition of the Neuer Atlas. The plate may not have changed between 1707 and 1710, but we note a fully re-engraved second plate issued sometime between 1710 and 1714, in which there is additional text quoted from Ovid over the portrait of Queen Anne. The arms for Anne on both plates reflect those in use before the 1707 Acts of Union. The 1710-1714 plate is also noteworthy for the color coding being modified to show counties. In 1714, a new plate was engraved featuring a portrait of King George I wearing plate armor; he ascended to the throne in August of 1714. There are at least 2 states of the 1714 plate, one without Homann's Privilege (a kind of early copyright), one with. Another plate features George I without armor, and still another (though we have not seen an example) alters the portrait to George II. The map was replaced entirely with a new map by Homann Heirs c. 1729.

The map thus enjoyed a long print run, from roughly 1707 to 1729, with many editions. Nonetheless, the first edition, as here, is scarce and rarely appears on the market. It is notable over subsequent plates for its rich color, superior engraving, and generally strong impressions.