Perspectivische Vorstellung Des Beruhmten Blocken .. Blokenbergs
hover the cursor over image to pan/zoom, or click the image to view a larger version click here to view a large version in a separate window |
A fascinating and rare plate from the major German map publishers of the period showing the Blocksberg mountain, in the heart of Germany's Harz Mountains, encircled by flying witches who congregate every Walpurgisnacht, the eve of May 1st (a sort of Halloween) to celebrate. This region of Germany has long been renowned as the headquarters of witches and the devil. Legend states, on top of the Blocksberg mountain is the `Hexentanzplatz' where the witches dance around the devil and where he would choose the most beautiful witch to partner him in the coming year. The dancing over, the remaining witches then search the world on the lookout for other young women to join their ranks and serve the devil. This curious item was published by Homann's Heirs and such was the interest in the witches that two states of this plate exist, the latter with a panel of text explaining the witches should not, perhaps, be taken seriously.
Johann Baptist Homann started his career in Amsterdam as an apprentice with the Danckerts family before returning to Nuremberg to establish himself inbusiness in 1702. His firm quickly became the principal geographical publishers in Germany and in 1715 Homann was appointed Geographer to the Holy Roman Emperor. Johann died in 1724 and was succeeded by his son Johann Christoph who died in 1730. After his death the firm took the name Homann's Heirs and continued thereafter until 1813. region: Curiosities
mapmaker:
Homann's Heirs
place and date of publication:
Nurnberg 1749
medium and colour:
copperplate, Original colour
ref:
27256
size in cms: 56 x 48 Price: £ 800 |
|
Go back return to Curiosities |
You might also like
 Europe ... Blowing Up The Fire by S.Gans price: £ 1830 |
 Military Sketch Of The Campaigns Of The Duke Of Marlborough by W.Pinnock / J.Archer / S.Hall price: £ 100 |
 An Eclipse. Lately Discovered In The Georgium Sidus ... by Anonymous price: £ 400 |
 Atlas by A.Logerot price: £ 800 |
MCC 52 - Decorative Initials In Maps And Atlases Bellaire, Alfred price: £ 10 |
 Collecting Antique Maps - A New Edition With Price Guide An Introduction To Cartography by Potter, Jonathan price: £ 20 |