Charta Cosmographica, Cum Ventorum Propria Natura et Operatione
Description
| Type of resource | cartographic |
|---|---|
| Form | cartographic image |
| Extent | 1 map : uncolored ; 11 x 7.25 in |
| Place | Antwerp |
| Publication date | [ca. 1553] |
| Digital origin | reformatted digital |
| Map data | Scale not determined |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | Apian |
|---|
Subjects
| Subject | World Maps |
|---|---|
| Genre | Map |
Bibliographic information
| Note | The earliest surviving example of Gemma Frisius' larger cordiform map of the world, published in 1540, which first appeared in the 1544 in Apian's Cosmographia. The map is one of the earliest obtainable world maps not based upon the works of Ptolemy. North America is depicted as a narrow stretch of land extending almost eastwards. Cuba and Hispaniola are shown as huge islands and the Mountains of the Moon considered the source of the River Nile. The map includes a Northwest passage, above which is a fascinating Asian projection. North America, called Baccalearum for its Cod fisheries. The narrow Straits of Magellan represent the only passage between South America and an understated Southern Continent. A 'truncated' cordiform projection is used which prevents the south polar regions being represented. The map is bordered by signs of the zodiac and the Ptolemaic climatic zones. Zeus and Mars, wearing the coats of arms of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, are shown atop the map while wind-heads at the south represent the traditional believed plague-bearing nature of those winds. The map is highly decorative but also an important milestone in the history of cartography as it is one of the earliest maps to show a representation of America, or the name itself. During the 16th Century, the quest for geographical knowledge was primarily spurred on by trade. The great trading nations of Europe became leaders in the printing of maps. Because of its location connecting land routes to the east and southeast, Germany became one of the pre-eminent map centers. Peter Apian, also known by his Latin name Petrus Apainus, was professor of mathematics and was known as a great astronomer. These skills combined with his interest in geography led to the establishment of his own printing press in Landshut. Apian's textbook Cosmographicus Liber was first published in 1524. The fourth edition (1529) and later editions were edited by his pupil Gemma Frisius, who inserted his own world map in the 1545 publication. |
|---|---|
| Note | Map shows World. |
| Note | Condition description: Minor soiling |
| citation/reference | Shirley 96. |
| Available online |
|
| Location | https://purl.stanford.edu/gn154mv7338 |
Access conditions
- Use and reproduction
- Image from the The Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection courtesy Stanford University Libraries. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce commercially, please contact the David Rumsey Map Center at rumseymapcenter@stanford.edu.
- Copyright
- Property rights reside with the repository, Copyright © Stanford University. Images may be reproduced or transmitted, but not for commercial use. For commercial use or commercial republication, contact rumseymapcenter@stanford.edu This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. By downloading any images from this site, you agree to the terms of that license.
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC-SA).
Collection
The Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection
View other items in this collection in SearchWorksAlso listed in
Loading usage metrics...