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Large circular planisphere on 6 sheets, 85x107 or smaller. Title from sheet 5.
Reproduced and published for the first time the size of the original with all the
legends and notations by Viscount of Santarem in 1854. The original 1450 map was fully
described and reproduced for the first time published by William Frazer in London and
Venice, 1804 Manuscript on vellum, BL Add. MS 11267 and by Placido Zurla in II
Mappamondo di Fra Mauro Camaldolese, 1806 in Venice, and later by Santarem in his
facsimile Atlas of 1849. "Atlas de Vicomte de Santarem" on lower left sheet 5.
Unusual for medieval European maps, it is oriented with South at the top (Indian Ocean,
top left; Mediterranean, right center) and so meticulously drawn and full of detail and
legends that it has been described as a “medieval cosmography of no small extent, a
conspectus of 15th century geographical knowledge cast in medieval form.” Though the
coasts are drawn in a style recalling that of the nautical charts. Includes 4 insets at
each corner, numerous note boxes on the map and explanatory text at the margins. Shows
place names, rivers, mountains, lakes, etc. Landmarks shown pictorially. Text and place
names in Italian, publication information in French. Relief shown pictorially.
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