Perspectivische Vorstellung Des Beruhmten Blocken .. Blokenbergs
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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 |
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