GEOGRAPHISCHE UNIVERSAL - ZEIG UND SCHLAG - UHR.

A decorative copper engraved map with a geographical clock by Zacharias Landteck, who manufactured it in the early 1700s in Nuremberg.
The engraving was created by J. B. Homann, and shows the clock with a detailed description of the functions. The curious clock enables the mid-day sun height, the day length, and the sunrise and sunset on the northern hemisphere.
It refers also to seasons and the dateline when ships sail around the world. A sun lights two-thirds of the surface. German text surrounds the image. Published during the area of Harrisson and his first reliable clocks for traveling.

The globe in the center is surrounded by clouds within a ring of Zodiac signs. The hemisphere is centred at the North Pole, California is still depicted as an island. Fortunately, the original clock is preserved and located in the Swiss clock museum of La Chaux-de-Fonds close to Bern.

Johann Baptist Homann (1663-1724) was a mapmaker who founded the famous Homann Heirs publishing company. He lived his entire life in Bavaria, particularly in Nuremberg.
Initially, Johann trained to become a priest before converting to Protestantism and working as a notary.
In 1702, Johann founded a publishing house that specialized in engravings. The firm flourished, becoming the leading map publisher in Germany and an important entity in the European map market. In 1715, Johann was named Imperial Geographer to the Holy Roman Empire by Charles VI and made a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences.
Most importantly for his business, his reputation and contacts gained him imperial printing privileges which protected his publications and recommended him to customers. Johann is best known for this 'Grosser Atlas ueber die ganze Welt', or the 'Grand Atlas of the World', published in 1716.
After Johann died in 1724, the business passed to his son, Christoph (1703-1730). Upon Christoph’s early death, the company passed to subsequent heirs, with the name of the company changing to Homann Erben, or Homann Heirs. The firm continued in business until 1848.

Reference: McLaughlin, G.; Mayo, N.H.: The Mapping of California as an Island: An Illustrated Checklist, No. 208.