The Art of Maps: Britannia & Normandia From Mercator

Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)

The Fleming Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) is rightfully regarded as the most important scientific cartographer of the Renaissance. With two contemporaries, the geographer Abraham Ortelius and the printer and publisher Christoffel Plantijn,he is considered the father of commercial cartography in the Netherlands.Even during his lifetime his maps, globes and atlases found their way all over the world.Mercator established his reputation mainly through his new projection method. The meridians and parallels are positioned at right angles to each other.If the distances between the meridians are equal, they progressively become larger between the parallels from the equator to the poles.This is why the latitude becomes wider the closer you get to one of the poles and why the part of the Earth in the upper latitudes exhibits excessive proportions.The advantage of this method was the far greater degree of certainty and accuracy in determining shipping routes.In 1585, Mercator published the first three parts of his own book of maps in one volume,which he called Atlas.The second edition appeared in 1589, with the addition of a fourth part. The first complete edition was compiled by his heirs in 1595 one year after his death.Walter Ghim,mayor of Duisburg the city where Mercator had lived for a long time,wrote the accompanying Mercator biography.It was the first time that a book of maps was referred to as an Atlas.Commercially speaking,however,the Atlas was not a success thanks to formidable competition from the Theatrum orbis terrarum by Abraham Ortelius,published in 1570,which by the end of the century had been reprinted more than twenty times.

The Art Of Maps:

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]

The Art of Maps: Map of Aqvitania From Mercator.jpg

Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)

The Fleming Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) is rightfully regarded as the most important scientific cartographer of the Renaissance. With two contemporaries, the geographer Abraham Ortelius and the printer and publisher Christoffel Plantijn,he is considered the father of commercial cartography in the Netherlands.Even during his lifetime his maps, globes and atlases found their way all over the world.Mercator established his reputation mainly through his new projection method. The meridians and parallels are positioned at right angles to each other.If the distances between the meridians are equal, they progressively become larger between the parallels from the equator to the poles.This is why the latitude becomes wider the closer you get to one of the poles and why the part of the Earth in the upper latitudes exhibits excessive proportions.The advantage of this method was the far greater degree of certainty and accuracy in determining shipping routes.In 1585, Mercator published the first three parts of his own book of maps in one volume,which he called Atlas.The second edition appeared in 1589, with the addition of a fourth part. The first complete edition was compiled by his heirs in 1595 one year after his death.Walter Ghim,mayor of Duisburg the city where Mercator had lived for a long time,wrote the accompanying Mercator biography.It was the first time that a book of maps was referred to as an Atlas.Commercially speaking,however,the Atlas was not a success thanks to formidable competition from the Theatrum orbis terrarum by Abraham Ortelius,published in 1570,which by the end of the century had been reprinted more than twenty times.

The Art Of Maps:

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]

The Art of Maps: Hubert Jaillot Estats de L'Empire des Turqs en Europe, ou sont les Beglerbeglicz our Gouvernements 1692

Hubert Jaillot:  Estats de L'Empire des Turqs en Europe, ou sont les Beglerbeglicz our Gouvernements

Estats de L'Empire des Turqs en Europe, ou sont les Beglerbeglicz our Gouvernements . . .
Hubert Jaillot
Amsterdam / 1692
Hand Colored


Size: 34 x 22 inches




Scarce large format map of the Turkish Empire in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, published by Jaillot, based upon the earlier maps of Nicolas Sanson.

The Art of Maps: Henri Chatelain Carte Ancienne et Moderne des Differents Etats et Pais situez au Long du Danube pour servir a L'Intelligence De L'Histoire

Henri Chatelain:  Carte Ancienne et Moderne des Differents Etats et Pais situez au Long du Danube, pour servir a L'Intelligence De L'Histoire

Carte Ancienne et Moderne des Differents Etats et Pais situez au Long du Danube, pour servir a L'Intelligence De L'Histoire


Henri Chatelain


Amsterdam / 1719


Uncolored


Size: 18 x 14 inches






Detailed map of the region north of the Adriatic Sea and centered on the Danube River, from Croatia to the Black Sea.


Surrounded by descriptive French text.

The Art of Maps: John Pinkerton Turkey In Europe

John Pinkerton:  Turkey In Europe

Turkey In Europe
John Pinkerton
London / 1812
Hand Colored


Size: 28 x 20 inches






An excellent detailed regional map of Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, showing towns, roads, rivers, mountains, lakes, and other items of interest. Handcolored by regions.


Condition Description: One minor spot

The Art of Maps: Jan Jansson America Septentrionalis 1641

 Jan Jansson: America Septentrionalis

Jan Jansson
1641
Hand Colored
Size: 22 x 18.5 inches






Nice old color example of Jansson's map of North America, called by Burden the single most influential map in perpetuating the myth of California as an Island.


The map is a well-researched amalgam of the best cartographic resources available. In the West. Jannson draws heavily upon Briggs 1625 map of North America. An unnamed lake still feeds the Rio de Norto (Rio Grande), which is incorrectly shown flowing southwest into the Sea of Cortez. The Gulf of Mexico and Florida are based upon Hessel Gerritsz’s map of 1631. The east coast draws from a number of sources. Jamestown is shown. Novum Belgium is unlike prior maps between the Delaware and Hudson, being greatly elongated. New Amsterdam is not shown, but Ft. Orange is located. The place names in New England are based upon John Smith's map of 1616. The Gulf of St. Lawrence appears to follow De Laet. The map is richly illustrated with ships, sea monsters and animals in the interior parts of North America.


An essential map for collectors of North America and California, being the first atlas map to show North America only, the first widely disseminated map of California as an island and a host of other important features. Second state per Burden, with Latin text on verso.


Very faint discoloration at centerfold, else a very nice example, in full orginal color.

The Art Of Maps Nicholas Sanson Amerique Septentrionale par Sanson d Abbeville Geog du Roy 1650

Amerique Septentrionale par N. Sanson d'Abbeville Geog. du Roy 1650

Map Maker: Nicholas Sanson
1650
Hand Colored
Size: 21.5 x 15.25 inches


Fine example of the first obtainable state of Sanson's landmark map of North America.


Sanson's map the first map to depict the Great Lakes in a recognizable form, and the first to name Lake Ontario and Lake Superior. In  Sanson drew on information derived from The Jesuit Relations, published in Paris in 1649, which provided contemporary accounts of many regions of North America visited by French missionaries.  His sources included Father Paul Ragueneau's account of his visit to Niagara Falls and Jean Nicollet's discovery of Lake Michigan in 1634.  Montreal is named, having been founded by the Sieur de Maisonneuve in 1642.


In the Southwest, Sanson draws up the reports of the travels in New Mexico of Father Alonso Benavides Memorial, published in Madrid in 1630. It is the first printed map to label "S[anta] Fe" (incorrectly shown  the Rio Grande) and the "Apache," Navajo" and the "Taosij" (Taos) Indian regions. California is shown as a large island, based largely on Johannes de Laet's map of 1630. The region in the north called "Conibas" represents a mythical land between North America and Asia.  The area delineated as "Mer Glaciale" is a reference to the Northwest Passage. On the east coast "N[ouvelle] Amsterdam"  appears (New York), as does the first appearance on a printed map of  "N[ouvelle] Suede," the Swedish colony centered on Fort Christina, founded on the site of present-day Wilmington, Delaware in 1638.


This is the second state of the map.  The first, known in only 2 examples (Burden), includes a number of place names north of California (Anian, Quivira, Nouvelle Albion, Conibas) which do not appear on later editions.  The second state can be distinguished from the third state by the treatment of Lake Ontario. In the second state, Lake Ontario is not shaded in like the other Great Lakes and looks like a series of Rivers.  In the third state, it is shaded like Lake Ontario.


Sanson is regarded as the founder of the 'French School' of cartography. His map of North America was the most advanced depiction of the continent in the mid-17th Century and was the source map for most subsequent maps for the next 40 years.Sanson was the first to employ a sinusoidal projection, which was also adopted by John Flamsteed, the first Royal Astronomer appointed by the King of England.  

The Art of Maps: Map of Rvssia from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)

Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)

The Fleming Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) is rightfully regarded as the most important scientific cartographer of the Renaissance. With two contemporaries, the geographer Abraham Ortelius and the printer and publisher Christoffel Plantijn,he is considered the father of commercial cartography in the Netherlands.Even during his lifetime his maps, globes and atlases found their way all over the world.Mercator established his reputation mainly through his new projection method. The meridians and parallels are positioned at right angles to each other.If the distances between the meridians are equal, they progressively become larger between the parallels from the equator to the poles.This is why the latitude becomes wider the closer you get to one of the poles and why the part of the Earth in the upper latitudes exhibits excessive proportions.The advantage of this method was the far greater degree of certainty and accuracy in determining shipping routes.In 1585, Mercator published the first three parts of his own book of maps in one volume,which he called Atlas.The second edition appeared in 1589, with the addition of a fourth part. The first complete edition was compiled by his heirs in 1595 one year after his death.Walter Ghim,mayor of Duisburg the city where Mercator had lived for a long time,wrote the accompanying Mercator biography.It was the first time that a book of maps was referred to as an Atlas.Commercially speaking,however,the Atlas was not a success thanks to formidable competition from the Theatrum orbis terrarum by Abraham Ortelius,published in 1570,which by the end of the century had been reprinted more than twenty times.

The Art Of Maps:

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]
The Art of maps:Matthias Quad – Map of North America 1593
The Art of Maps: Americae Nova Tabula
Sightseeing Map Locations Bulgaria
The Art of Maps: CORNELIS DANCKERTS Nieuw Aerdsch Pley MAP

The Art of Maps:Louis-Charles DESNOS- Mappe-Monde Céleste Terrestre et Historique augmentée des Voyages et Découvertes du célébre Capitaine Cooke

Mappe-Monde Céleste Terrestre et Historique augmentée des Voyages et Découvertes du célébre Capitaine Cooke

Louis-Charles DESNOS

1786

Paris

Hand-coloured engraved wallmap of the world on 6 sheets, joined, (overall 1030 x 940mm). The large double hemisphere world map set in an elaborate border incorporating the signs of the zodiac, wind points, lunar and other astronomical and astrological dials, title running across the upper margin, lower portion of the map comprising an architectural plinth with tablets inset, giving geographical information on the three ancient continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. Window mount.

A very fine example of Desnos's rare and impressive wallmap, a reissue of Jaugeon's map of 1688, which was also issued by Alexis-Hubert Jaillot and his forebears in the 1730s and in 1758. Louis Brion de la Tour and Desnos collaborated in republishing the maps of Jaillot and Sanson. Shirley 538; Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, Portraits of the World, 1981, number 57.

The Art of Maps: Louis Charles Desnos Mappe-Monde ou Carte Generale De La Terre Divisee En Deux Hemispheres 1766

Mappe-Monde ou Carte Generale De La Terre Divisee En Deux Hemispheres 1766 

Louis Charles Desnos 
Paris / 1766 
Coloring: Hand Colored 
Size: 40 x 31 inches 


Spectacular double hemisphere map of the world, surrounded by allegorical decorations and models of the heavens, by Louis Charles Desnos. Desnos's World Map was originally issued by Nicolas De Fer in 1694 and was later extensively revised by Danet in the mid-18th Century, before being revised again by Desnos. Desnos issued several editions of the map, with this being an early edition by Desnos. The most significant cartographic update is in the Northwestern part of America, where the Sea of the West is prominently shown (twice!) and a highly embellished depiction of the discoveries during Tchirikow's voyage in 1741 is given. The prospect of both Northwest and Northeast Pasages clearly depicted on the map, including a marvelous channel extending northeast from the Sea of the West (Mer de l'Oest). The map also tracks the circumnavigations of a number of earlier explorers, including Magellan, LemaIre, Schouten, and others. The depiction of Australia and New Zealand appears in the style popularized by the Dutch, which endured until Cook's Voyages, which comenced shorty after the publication of this map. While the De Fer editions of the map appear occasionally on the market, we note only 2 other examples of the Desnos appearing at auction or in dealer catalogues in the past 30 years (including a heavily damaged and restored example which appeared at auction in 2004) and an example offered by Roderick Barron in 1996). 4-sheet map, joined. Minor repairs and discoloration along several old fold lines.

The Art of Maps: Cornelis Danckerts Nova Persiae Armeniae Natoliae et Arabiae

Nova Persiae Armeniae Natoliae et Arabiae

Cornelis Danckerts
Place / Date: Amsterdam / 1680
Coloring: Hand Colored
Size: 22 x 19 inches
Condition: VG
Description:

Rare Cornelis Danckerts edition of this decorative and highly desireable map of the region bounded by the Saudi Peninsula, Red Sea, Nile River, Cyprus, Asia Minor, the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, Armenia, the Caspian Sea, Afganistan and the Indian Ocean, centered on the Persian Gulf.

Includes two attractive cartouches, ships at sea and marvelous geographical detail within the map. One of the few available Dutch maps to mention Armenia in the title of the map and one of the most detailed of the region.

While the map appears similar to De Wit's map of the same title, it is a completely different copper plate, with many noticable differences.


Condition Description: Several minor tears in the left margin, repaired on verso The maps do not touch the printed image.

The Art of Maps: Nova et Accuratissima Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula Auctore Joanne Blaeu

Nova et Accuratissima Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula Auctore Joanne Blaeu

Map Maker: Willem Janszoon Blaeu

Place / Date: Amsterdam / 1662

Coloring: Hand Colored

Size: 21.5 x 16 inches

Price: $22,500.00



Nice old color example of Blaeu's double hemisphere map of the World, originally prepared by Joan Blaeu for his Atlas Maior in 1662. The map was also included in contemporary composite sea atlases of the period by Goos and others.

Unlike Blaeu's first world map which appeared in the majority of his atlases and was done on the Mercator projection, Blaeu utilizes a double hemisphere format and depicts California as an island.

This double hemisphere map was prepared at the end of the firm's publishing history and is much rarer than its predecessor. The engraving, layout and elegance of decoration are all of the highest standard. The map depicts celestial figures seated among the clouds and representations of the four season below, with each figure seated in a chariot drawn by beasts and birds. Because of the relatively scarity of this map and Blaeu's prominence as one of the most influential and decorative map makers of the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography, this map has become especially sought after by collectors and increasingly scarce on the market.


Condition Description: Old color. Split and tear in upper margin, entering image, but well repaired on verso. Minor tear in lower left margin, just entering printed image. Some minor soiling in the image and in the blank margins.

The Art of Maps: New Map of The World From The Latest Observations

A New Map of The World From The Latest Observations…Most Humbly Inscribed to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales

 

 

A New Map of The World From The Latest Observations…Most Humbly Inscribed to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales

Map Maker: John Senex

Price: $3,600.00

Size: 21.5 x 16.5 inches

Place / Date: London / 1721

Condition: VG

Coloring: Hand Colored

Description:

Striking double hemisphere map of the World, from John Senex's New General Atlas, first published in 1721.

Senex's map provides a fine look at a number of the surviving myths and cartographic inaccuracies of the early 18th Century. California is shown as an Island, both New Zealand and Australia have incomplete coastlines, there is no sign of Antarctica, New Guinea is still shown as connected to Australia, and the Northwest Coast of America ends near the present day Straits of Juan de Fuca, with a speculative remnant of the old land bridge between Asia and America shown, but without meaningful detail.

The map includes 4 smaller Northern and Southern Hemisphere projections, an armillary and other scientific drawings.  A fine allegorical vignette across the top shows the four continents as womena, with Europe, the scholar, studying the globe, Asia, the exotic trading partner, with an urn of incense, while the primitive Africa and America appear on the far side of the title cartouche.

 

Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula Autore N I Piscator . . . 1652

Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula Autore N I Piscator . . . 1652

Map Maker: Claes Janszoon Visscher

Place / Date: Amsterdam / 1652

Coloring: Hand Colored

Size: 22.5 x 18 inches

Condition: VG




Description:

Nice example of Claes Janszoon Visscher 's rare Twelve Caesars world map.

CJ Visscher's world maps are among the most spectacular world maps published in the 17th Century.
The present map is one of four world maps with decorative panels issued by Visscher between 1614 and 1652.
In 1639, Visscher prepared this equisite world map on Mercator's projection in the style of Blaeu and Jansson.
This example is the final state of that map from 1652, determned by the date engraved in the lower right image,
next to the small southern hemispheric map.

Embellished with scenes of 12 Roman emperors mounted on horses in full battle gear - thus often called
the "Twelve Caesars Map" - along with representations of the four continents, six costumed figures showing
the mode of dress in each of regions (Europeans, Asiatici, Africani, North Ameicans, South Americans and Magellanici),
and including eight city views (Rome, Amsterdam, Jerusalem, Tunis, Mexico City, Havana, Parnambuco and Bahio Todos Santos).

The cartography is very up to date for the period, showing the discovery of Hudson's Bay and the course
of the St. Lawrence river.  The Straits of le Maire and Magellan are shown, with the massive Magellanica Sive Terra
Australis Incognita (unnown Southern lands still prominently appearing).  Beach is still shown in the region that would
become Australia, based upon the reports of Marco Polo. The early Dutch discoveries in what would become northern Australia are shown.
Marvelous (although completely fictional) California Coastline appears, heading north toward the Straits of Annian, only a few short miles from NE Asia.

The detail in the map is quite remarkable.  The engraver of the map is not known, but Shirley surmises that it was probably Pieter Goos.
A visually stunning example.


Condition Description:
Old Color. A bit age toned and soiled near lower part of centerfold. A few small tears in lower margin repaired on verso.
In general, a very nice example of this rare map, which is frequently trimmed into the map image.

The Art of Maps: A New Map Of The Terraqueous Globe According To The Ancient Discoveries And Most General Divisions Of It Into Continents And Oceans

A New Map Of The Terraqueous Globe According To The Ancient Discoveries And Most General Divisions Of It Into Continents And Oceans

Edward Wells (after)
Michael Burghers (c. 1653-1727) (engraver)

Oxford: c. 1700-1738
Engraving on laid paper with Strasburg Bend & Lily watermark [Churchill 434]
17.25 x 21.25 inches overall
14.5 x 20.5 inches image

Instructional map which depicts the world in classical times, a companion piece to a map of the modern world, both of which were published by Edward Wells, teacher of mathematics and geography at Christchurch College of Oxford University. Wells labels North America as Atlantis and offers this speculation that the New World is in fact the legendary "lost continent": "This Continent with the adjoining islands is generally supposed to have been Anciently unknown though there are not wanting some, who will have even the Continent itself to be no other than the Insula Atlantis of the Ancients." California is shown as an island. Below the hemispheres is a vignette dedicated to His Highness William, Duke of Gloucester, who appears with his tutor under the tree on the right. The 13-year-old William, heir to the throne, began studies at Christchurch in 1700 at the age of 11, and died a few months after the map was issued. On either side of this are small landscapes, one of ships arriving in the New World and one of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.

Michael Burghers was an engraver and draftsman from Holland, who came to England and settled in Oxford in 1673. There he worked under David Loggan and succeeded him as Engraver to the University. Burghers engraved the first Oxford Almanack in 1676, and continued to engrave most of them for the next 43 years. He also illustrated books and produced architectural, botanical and portrait engravings.

The Art of Maps: Jean Baptiste Bourguignon- A general map of the World or terraqueous globe with...

Author: Anville, Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d, 1697-1782; Dunn, Samuel; Riccioli, Giovanni Battista; Robert Laurie &

James Whittle

Date: 1799

Short Title: Composite: World.

Publisher: Laurie & Whittle London

Type: Composite Map

Obj Height cm: 105

Obj Width cm: 124

Scale 1: 43,000,000

Note:

Digital composite of north and south halves of hand colored engraved map. Relief shown pictorially. Contents: Western Hemisphere or the New World by Mr. d'Anville, with new discoveries and several additions -- Eastern Hemisphere or the Old World by Mr. d'Anville, with the new discoveries and several additions. Ancillary maps or charts: The Solar System -- The Northern Hemisphere -- The Southern Hemisphere -- An astronomical latitude & longitude analemma -- An universal scale -- A chart of the World according to Mercator's projection, with the rhumb lines -- Selenography or A map of the Moon according to Father Riccioli -- The vicissitude of seasons explained -- The analemma. Printed on 4 sheets; joined as 2.

World Area: World

Subject: Celestial

Full Title:

(Composite of) A general map of the World or terraqueous globe with all the new discoveries and marginal delineations, containing the most interesting particulars of the solar, starry and mundane system, by Saml. Dunn, mathematician. London, Published by Laurie & Whittle, No. 53, Fleet Street, 12th May, 1799.

Author: Anville, Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d, 1697-1782; Dunn, Samuel; Riccioli, Giovanni Battista; Robert Laurie &James WhittleDate: 1799Short Title: Composite: World.Publisher: Laurie & Whittle LondonType: Composite MapObj Height cm: 105Obj Width cm: 124Scale 1: 43,000,000
Note:Digital composite of north and south halves of hand colored engraved map. Relief shown pictorially. Contents: Western Hemisphere or the New World by Mr. d'Anville, with new discoveries and several additions -- Eastern Hemisphere or the Old World by Mr. d'Anville, with the new discoveries and several additions. Ancillary maps or charts: The Solar System -- The Northern Hemisphere -- The Southern Hemisphere -- An astronomical latitude & longitude analemma -- An universal scale -- A chart of the World according to Mercator's projection, with the rhumb lines -- Selenography or A map of the Moon according to Father Riccioli -- The vicissitude of seasons explained -- The analemma. Printed on 4 sheets; joined as 2.

The Art Of Maps:

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]
The Art of maps:Matthias Quad – Map of North America 1593
The Art of Maps: Americae Nova Tabula
Sightseeing Map Locations Bulgaria
The Art of Maps: CORNELIS DANCKERTS Nieuw Aerdsch Pley MAP

The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626

Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626

Map Maker: John Speed Place

Date: London / 1676

Coloring: Hand Colored             Size: 20 x 15 inches                Condition: VG

Description:

Striking example of Speed's map of Asia, decorated with 10 costumed figures and 8 town plans of important early Asian cities (Candy, Goa, Damascus, Jerusalem, Orumus, Bantam, Aden and Macao). Korea is shown as a slender oddly projected Peninsula.

The Great Wall of China is shown, along with and Elephant above the source of the Ganges. A nice simple/naïve Northeast passage is shown, along with a piece of North America and sea monsters in the extreme North Pacific and Southern Indian Sea. The text on the verso presents a fascinating Anglocentric view of Asia in the early 17th Century.

The Art Of Maps:

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]
The Art of maps:Matthias Quad – Map of North America 1593
The Art of Maps: Americae Nova Tabula
Sightseeing Map Locations Bulgaria
The Art of Maps: CORNELIS DANCKERTS Nieuw Aerdsch Pley MAP

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)

Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)

The Fleming Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) is rightfully regarded as the most important scientific cartographer of the Renaissance. With two contemporaries, the geographer Abraham Ortelius and the printer and publisher Christoffel Plantijn,he is considered the father of commercial cartography in the Netherlands.Even during his lifetime his maps, globes and atlases found their way all over the world.Mercator established his reputation mainly through his new projection method. The meridians and parallels are positioned at right angles to each other.If the distances between the meridians are equal, they progressively become larger between the parallels from the equator to the poles.This is why the latitude becomes wider the closer you get to one of the poles and why the part of the Earth in the upper latitudes exhibits excessive proportions.The advantage of this method was the far greater degree of certainty and accuracy in determining shipping routes.In 1585, Mercator published the first three parts of his own book of maps in one volume,which he called Atlas.The second edition appeared in 1589, with the addition of a fourth part. The first complete edition was compiled by his heirs in 1595 one year after his death.Walter Ghim,mayor of Duisburg the city where Mercator had lived for a long time,wrote the accompanying Mercator biography.It was the first time that a book of maps was referred to as an Atlas.Commercially speaking,however,the Atlas was not a success thanks to formidable competition from the Theatrum orbis terrarum by Abraham Ortelius,published in 1570,which by the end of the century had been reprinted more than twenty times.

The Art Of Maps:

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]
The Art of maps:Matthias Quad – Map of North America 1593
The Art of Maps: Americae Nova Tabula
Sightseeing Map Locations Bulgaria
The Art of Maps: CORNELIS DANCKERTS Nieuw Aerdsch Pley MAP

The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]

Johann Baptiste Homann - Title: Totius Americae Septentrionalis et Meridionalis Novissima Representatio . . . [California as an Island]

Map Maker: Johann Baptiste Homann
Place / Date: Nuremberg / 1710
Coloring: Hand Colored
Size: 22.5 x 19 inches
Condition: VG
Price: $1,800.00

Description:

Striking dark impression of the first edition JB Homann's map of America, showing California as an Island on the second Sanson model and pre-datingHomann's privilege.

The Straits of Anian are shown forming a Northwest Passage between California and the mythical Terra Esonis, which forms a nearly continuous land bridge from the Northwest to Asia. The Pays de Moozemleck is shown east of the Straits of Anian. This landmark remains virtually unchanged through all of Homann's maps of America, despite the transition to a peninsular California, resulting in an odd change from a coastal to an apparently landlocked position for this landmark.

The Great Lakes are shown with some detail. The Mississippi River shows the results of the early French Jesuit explorations, with its sources extending far North of the limits of the maps produced 20 and 30 years earlier, although Le Moyne's mythical lake in the Southeastern US remains. The title cartouche is based upon De Fer's landmark map of 1699. The top cartouche is based upon De L'Isle's 1703 map of Canada.

Fine dark impression, reflecting a very early pull fom the copperplate.

Condition Description: Old Color. Minor fold split at bottom centerfold and minor tear to the left of the fold, repaired on verso.

The Art Of Maps:

The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]
The Art of maps:Matthias Quad – Map of North America 1593
The Art of Maps: Americae Nova Tabula
Sightseeing Map Locations Bulgaria
The Art of Maps: CORNELIS DANCKERTS Nieuw Aerdsch Pley MAP

The Art of Maps: Americae Nova Tabula

BLAEU, W.
Americae Nova Tabula.
Amsterdam, 1645

Size: 16.0 x 22.0 inches.
40.6 x 55.9 cm.

The delineation of the coast and the nomenclature on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are basically Spanish in origin and follow the maps of Ortelius and Wytfliet. To these Willem Blaeu has inserted on the East Coast the English names given by the Roanoke colonists in Virginia and by Frobisher, Davis and Hudson to the far north.
He has added French names in Florida and along the St Lawrence. European geographers still had no knowledge of the extent of the Mississippi. From the expedition journals of De Soto (1539-43) they had inferred an extensive range of east west trending mountains north of the Gulf of Mexico, precluding any great river system.
The Great Lakes were as yet unknown, although Champlain had reached Huron and had heard of the lakes from Coral Indians and had, in 1632, published his own map showing the region.

The Art Of Maps:


The Art of Maps: Map of America from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of Maps: Europa Delineata juxta Obfervationes Excellorum – Vindel 1760
The Art of Maps: PIRI REIS MAP
The Art of Maps: Map of Europe from Atlas sive Cosmographicae by Gerardus Mercator (1595)
The Art of maps: John Speed: Asia with the Islands adioyning described, the atire of the people, & Townes of importance, all of them newly augmented . . . 1626
The Art of Maps:Johann Baptiste Homann [California as an Island]
The Art of maps:Matthias Quad – Map of North America 1593
The Art of Maps: Americae Nova Tabula
Sightseeing Map Locations Bulgaria
The Art of Maps: CORNELIS DANCKERTS Nieuw Aerdsch Pley MAP