year 1907, by Baron W. Behaim, from his residence in Egedienplatz,
Nürnberg, to the Germanic Museum, where it may now be found. It
originally stood on a tripod base of wood, but this was later replaced
by one of iron. The iron meridian circle is doubtless the work of Behaim
himself, while its brass horizon circle probably dates from the year
1510.[105]
In his scholarly work Ravenstein thus describes this remarkable monument
of a period in which there was a rapid expansion of geographical
knowledge. "The globe has a circumference of 1595 mm., consequently a
diameter of 507 mm. or 20 inches. Only two great circles are laid down
upon it, viz., the equator, divided into 360 degrees, and the ecliptic
studded with the signs of the zodiac. The Tropics, the Arctic and the
Antarctic circles are likewise shown. The only meridian is drawn from
pole to pole 80 degrees to the west of Lisbon. The sea is colored a dark
blue, the land a bright brown or buff with patches of green and silver,
representing forests and regions supposed to be buried beneath perennial
ice and snow. Perhaps the most attractive feature of the globe consists
of 111 miniatures, for which we are indebted to Glockenthon's clever
pencil. The vacant space within the Antarctic circle is occupied by a
fine design of the Nürnberg eagle with the virgin's head, associated
with which are the arms of the three chief captains by whose authority
the globe was made.... There are, in addition, 48 flags (including 10 of
Portugal) and 15 coats of arms, all of them showing heraldic colors. The
miniatures represent a variety of subjects. Forty-eight of them show us
kings seated within tents or upon thrones; full-length portraits are
given of four Saints (St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Matthew, and St. Iago),
of missionaries instructing natives, and of travelers. Eleven vessels
float upon the sea, which is peopled by fishes, seals, sea-lions,
sea-cows, sea-horses, sea-serpents, mermen, and a mermaid. The land
animals include elephants, leopards, bears, camels, ostriches, parrots,
and serpents.... The only fabulous beings which are represented among
the miniatures are a merman and a mermaid, near the Cape Verde Islands,
and two Sciapodes in central South Africa, but syrens, satyrs, and men
with dogs' heads are referred to in some of the legends. Nor do we meet
with the 'Iudei clausi,' or with a 'garden of Eden,' still believed in
by Columbus.... The globe is crowded with over 1100 place names and
numerous legends in black, red, gold, or silver."[106]
The legends, in the South German dialect of the period, are very
numerous (Fig. 23), and are of great interest to students of history and
of historical geography. The following will serve to indicate the
character of Behaim's numerous legends. "Nach cristi unsers lieben hern
gepurt 1431 jar also regiert in portugal jinfante don pedro wurden nach
notlusse zegericht zway schiff auf 2 Jar gespeisst von den hochgeburnen
Jnfanten don heinrichen dess koniks aufs portogalli bruder zu erfahren
wass do wer hinder sanct Jacob finisterre weliche schiff also gerüst
segelten alweg nach den untergang der sonnen bey 500 teutsche meilen
zuletst wurden sy ains tags ansichtig dies 10 inseln und aufs landt
trettendt funden nichts dann wildness und vögel die waren so zam dass sy
vor niemandt flohen aber von leutten oder thieren mit vier füssen war
von weg[=e] der wildnuss keins darkhumen zu wohen um desswillen die
vögel mit scheuh waren also wurden sy geheissen insuln dos azores das
ist auf teutsch so vil als der habichen inseln und umb weliche wellen
der könik von portugal das ander jar schikt 16 schiff mit allerley zame
thiere und liess auf jede insel sein tail thun und darzu
multiplieieren." This legend, which lies to the southeast of the Azores
Islands, reads in translation: "1431 years after the birth of our dear
Lord, when there reigned in Portugal the Infant Don Pedro, the infant
Don Henry, the King of Portugal's brother, had fitted out two vessels
and found with all that was needed for two years, in order to find out
what was beyond the St. Jacob's Cape of Finisterre. The ships thus
provisioned sailed continuously to the westward for 500 German miles,
and in the end they sighted these ten islands. On landing they found
nothing but a wilderness and birds which were so tame that they fled
from no one. But of men or of four footed animals none had come to live
there because of the wildness, and this accounts for the birds not
having been shy. On this ground the islands were called dos Azores, that
is, Hawk Islands, and in the year after, the king of Portugal sent
sixteen ships with various tame animals and put some of these on each
island there to multiply."[107]
[Illustration: Fig. 23. Globe of Martin Behaim in Hemispheres.]
The following legend relates to the islands of Antilia. "Als man zelt
nach cristi gepurt 734 jar als ganz hispania von d[=n] heiden auf
affrica gewonon wurdt do wurdt bewont di obgeschriben Insuln Antilia
genant Septe citade von einem erzbischoff von porto portigal mit sech
andern bischoffs und andern cristen man und frawen dj zu sciff von
hispanie das geflohen kommen mit Irem vieh hab und gut anno 1414 ist
ein schiff aus hispania ungefert darbei gewest am negsten." "In the year
734 of Christ when the whole of Spain had been won by the heathen of
Africa, the above island Antilia called Septa Citade (Seven Cities) was
inhabited by an archbishop from Porto in Portugal, with six other
bishops and other Christians, men and women, who had fled thither from
Spain by ship, together with their cattle, belongings and goods. 1414 a
ship from Spain got nighest it without being endangered."[108]
Through the inspiration of Behaim the construction of globes in the city
of Nürnberg became a new industry to which the art activities of the
city greatly contributed. The chief magistrate induced his fellow
citizen to give instruction in the art of making such instruments, yet
this seems to have lasted but a short time, for we learn that not long
after the completion of his now famous "Erdapfel," Behaim returned to
Portugal, where he died in the year 1507.
Martin Behaim's map of the world was drawn on parchment which had been
pasted over a large sphere. The Laon globe,[109] apparently following
closely in time the former, is an engraved and gilded copper ball,
having a diameter of 17 cm. There is evidence that at one time it was
part of an astronomical clock.[110] The engraved surface, on which
appear the outlines of continents and islands, is well preserved. It has
two meridian circles, which intersect at right angles and which can be
moved about a common axis, likewise a horizon circle which is movable.
Numerous circles appear engraved on the surface of the ball, including
meridians and parallels. The prime meridian passes through the Madeira
Islands, a fact which suggests a Portuguese origin, since these islands
are generally thought to have been discovered by Lusitanian seamen. One
hundred and eighty degrees east of this prime meridian, a second
meridian is engraved, equally prominent, passing through the middle of
the continent of Asia, and 90 degrees still farther to eastward is a
third. Each of these meridians is divided into degrees, which are
grouped in fifths and are numbered by tens, starting at the equator. The
meridians are intersected by a number of parallels, lightly engraved in
the northern hemisphere, less distinct in the southern, and represent
the seven climates employed by the cosmographers of the Greek and Roman
period, as well as by those of the middle ages, in their division of the
earth's surface.
As to its geographical representations, this terrestrial globe appears
to be older than that of Martin Behaim, yet at the southern extremity of
Africa we find the name "Mons Niger," inscribed with the legend "Huc
usque Portugalenses navigio pervenere 1493."
The great enterprise of Christopher Columbus (Fig. 24), wherein he may
be said to have achieved a final victory for the doctrine of a spherical
earth, entitled his name to a place of prominence in the history of
terrestrial globes. That Columbus himself constructed globes, as has
been sometimes inferred from a statement of Las Casas, may, however, be
questioned, since this statement touches the reputed correspondence
between Columbus and Toscanelli, which correspondence, in the light of
the very searching studies of Mr. Henry Vignaud, must now be considered
to be of doubtful authenticity.[111] It appears, however, from this
letter that the famous Italian cosmographer, Pauolo Toscanelli, himself
was accustomed to explain problems arising in the field of discovery by
the use of the globe, and Las Casas tells us that Columbus resolved to
write to him, making known his intentions, which he desired to be able
to fulfil, and sent to him a globe through Lorenzo Girardi, a
Florentine, at that time residing in Lisbon.[112] Ferdinand Columbus,
referring to this incident, says that "the globe was a small one."[113]
In referring to Bartholomew, the son of Christopher Columbus, Las Casas
observes that "he was a man of prudence and of great intelligence in
all matters pertaining to the seas. I believe not much less learned in
cosmography and in what relates thereto, the making of navigator's
charts and globes and other instruments of that kind."[114] Again, we
find in a letter which Christopher Columbus directed to their Catholic
Majesties, that he "sent to their Majesties a certain round
representation."[115] None of these references to globes, as before
stated, necessarily give us to understand that Christopher Columbus was
a globe maker. Certain it is that none is now known attributed to him or
to his son.
[Illustration: Fig. 24. Lorenzo Lotto Portrait of Columbus.]
The explorer, John Cabot (1450-1498) (Fig. 25), is likewise reputed to
have been interested in the construction of globes. In a dispatch sent
from London, December 18, 1497, by the envoy Raimondi di Soncino to the
Duke of Milan, we read that "this Master John has a description of the
world on a map, and also on a solid sphere, which he has made, and it
shows where he landed, and that sailing toward the east (west) he had
passed far beyond the region of the Tanais."[116]
[Illustration: Fig. 25. Portrait of Sebastian Cabot, Son of John Cabot.]
That terrestrial globes were constructed toward the close of the
fifteenth century is of significance, not only as a response to a new
desire for more nearly accurate representation of the earth's surface
than could be set forth on a plane map, but it is likewise significant
by reason of the fact that such globes as were constructed served to
demonstrate the value of globe maps, and this value once demonstrated,
they served to awaken a still further interest in globe making, which
bears abundant fruitage in the following century.
There is a very remarkable celestial globe of the fifteenth century now
belonging to the Lyceum Library of Constance, Switzerland. It is the
work of Johannes Stöffler (1452-1531),[117] at one time a pastor in the
town of Justingen, later a professor of mathematics in the University of
Tübingen, where he achieved renown as mathematician, astronomer,
cosmographer, and mechanic. It appears from the title of a publication
attributed to Stöffler, 'De artificiosa globi terrestris
compositione,'[118] that he was a maker of terrestrial globes, though no
such globe of his is now known, and from his letters to Reuchlin we
learn that he made no less than three celestial globes.[119] One of the
latter he sent to his friend, Probst Peter Wolf of Denkendorf, which
represented the movements of the sun and of the moon. A second was
constructed for Bishop von Dalberg of Worms, on which the stars were
represented in gold.[120] Nothing further is definitely known of these
two globes. A third was constructed for Bishop Daniel of Constance,
which is the one now to be found in that city's library.[121] This
sphere has a diameter of 48 cm., rests upon a wooden base, and is
furnished with a meridian and with a horizon circle. The forty-eight
constellations of Ptolemy are represented on a dark background and are
outlined in accord with recognized traditions. To a few of the
constellations double names are given, as "Hercules" and "Genuflexus,"
"Auriga" and "Agitator." Stars of the first magnitude are especially
distinguished by name, the majority of which are of Arabic origin, and
more than one thousand stars are clearly indicated.
To the globe makers themselves, who were active agents in creating a
demand for globes, there should here be added the name of Conrad Celtes
(1459-1508),[122] the distinguished German humanist, as that of one who
contributed most in the first years of modern times toward arousing an
interest in the use of globes in the schools. Aschbach, in his History
of the Vienna University,[123] tells us of the school founded in Vienna
in the year 1510 by the Emperor Maximilian I, and of the instruction
given in this school by Celtes. We are informed that in his lectures on
mathematical geography he introduced a good text of Ptolemy in the
original Greek; this he translated into Latin, interpreting the same in
German, explaining the several sentences by reference to a terrestrial
and to a celestial globe. Having no record that such a method had been
earlier employed we may therefore conclude that this distinguished
teacher was the first to proceed in the manner designated, that is, he
was the first in modern times to make use of globes in geographical and
astronomical instruction.
NOTES
[97] Major, R. H. Life of Prince Henry the Navigator.
London, 1868. This is one of the first, and, at the same
time, one of the most satisfactory biographies of Prince
Henry; Beazley, C. R. Prince Henry the Navigator. New York,
1895; Azurara, Gomez Eannes de. Chronicle of the Discovery
and Conquest of Guinea. Tr. and ed. by Charles Raymond
Beazley and Edward Prestage. (Hakluyt Society Publications.
London, 1896. 2 vols.)
[98] D'Avezac, M. A. P. Description et histoire des îles de
l'Afrique. Paris, 1848; same author, Notice des découvertes
faites au moyen âge dans l'Océan Atlantique. Paris, 1845;
same author, Les îles fantastiques de l'Océan occidental au
moyen âge. Paris, 1845; Margry, P. La conquête des îles
Canaries. Paris, 1896; Beazley. Dawn of Modern Geography.
Vol. III, chap. iv.
The Canary Islands, and perhaps others in the eastern
Atlantic, were known to the Romans, but appear to have been
lost to the knowledge of the Europeans during the greater
part of the middle ages, to be rediscovered in the period in
which modern geographical exploration was being entered
upon.
[99] Ravenstein, E. G. The voyages of Diogo Cão and
Bartholomew Diaz. (In: Geographical Journal. London, 1900.
Vol. XVI, pp. 625-655.)
[100] Beazley. Dawn of Modern Geography. Vol. II, chap. v;
Vol. III, chap. ii; Yule, H. The Book of Sir Marco Polo, the
Venetian, concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East.
London, 1903. 2 vols.
[101] Nordenskiöld, A. E. Facsimile Atlas. Stockholm, 1889;
same author, Periplus. Stockholm, 1897; Stevenson, E. L.
Portolan Charts, their origin and characteristics. New York,
1911; same author, Genoese World Map, 1457. New York, 1912;
same author, Facsimiles of Portolan Charts. New York, 1916.
From the above-named list of works, to which numerous
additions might be made, a general notion of the beginnings
of modern cartography can be obtained.
[102] Doppelmayr, J. S. Historische Nachricht von den
Nürnbergischen Mathematicis und Künstlern. Nürnberg, 1730.
pp. 27 ff. Murr, C. G. v. Diplomatische Geschichte des
portuguisischen berühmten Ritters Martin Behaim aus
Originalurkunden. Nürnberg, 1778; Ghillany, F. W. Der
Erdglobus des Martin Behaim von 1492, und der des Johann
Schöner 1520. Nürnberg, 1842; same author, Geschichte des
Seefahrers Ritter Martin Behaim, nach den ältesten
vorhandenen Urkunden bearbeitet. Nürnberg, 1853; Ziegler,
A. Martin Behaim, der Geistige Entdecker Amerikas. Dresden,
1859; Günther, S. Martin Behaim. Bamberg, 1890; Wieser, F.
v. Magalhâes-Strasse und Australkontinent auf den Globen des
Johannes Schöner. Innsbruck, 1881; Gallois, L. Les
Géographes allemands de la renaissance. Paris, 1890. Chap.
iii; Ravenstein, E. G. Martin Behaim, His Life and His
Globe. London, 1908; Harrisse, H. The Discovery of North
America. London, 1892. pp. 391.
Of the above-named works, that by Ravenstein is the most
satisfactory, being a most scholarly and scientific
treatment of his subject. His work is indeed a monument in
the field of historical geography. Of the reproductions of
the globe map, none surpasses the excellent facsimile in the
form of globe gores which he prepared to accompany his
studies. With the utmost care he deciphered the numerous
legends and place names, admitting, here and there, the
possibility of inaccuracy in the readings due to the damaged
condition of the globe. Vignaud, H., in his Toscanelli and
Columbus, pp. 182-186, gives a list of the numerous
reproductions of the globe map, with a brief word concerning
each. It may here be added that an excellent reproduction of
the globe, mounted as is the original, and made for Dr. W.
B. James of New York, in Nürnberg, the Ravenstein gores
being pasted over the prepared ball, may be seen in the map
department of The American Geographical Society. A similar
reproduction of the globe, with mounting of wood instead of
iron, was obtained by the author for exhibition in the Santa
Maria, Spain's Official Replica of the Flagship of Admiral
Columbus, which was to have been exhibited in San Francisco
in 1915. It failed, however, to reach its destination, and
was returned to Chicago.
[103] See Fig. 23.
[104] The itemized statement of expenses, delivered to the
Nürnberg Council by George Holzschuher, was first published
by Peitz, J. (In: Mitteilungen des Vereins für die
Geschichte der Stadt Nürnberg, Heft 6. Nürnberg, 1886.) It
is of sufficient interest in the history of globe making to
be cited here. The translation is Ravenstein's, pp. 111-112.
"Expenditure on the globe. Expenditure, Nürnberg, August 26,
1494. Below is to be found a statement of what I, George
Holzschuher have expended by order of my lords of the city
treasury, upon limning and otherwise, for making the
'apple,' or mappa mundi in the shape of a sphere, and also
for making the map for the clerk's office, which Mr. Marten
Beham, having expended thereon his art and pains, left
behind for the enjoyment of my lords of the worshipful
council.
"_Item_ first, to Glockenthon, who painted the sphere, and
spent 15 weeks over it, fl. 14; to his wife, fl. 1, facit,
fl. 15, lb.- dn.- (£2 10s.)
"_Item_ paid for a loam mould over which the sphere was to
have been made, as a guide for Kalberger, 28 dn.; also for
linen for the first sphere, 21 dn.; also for wine and beer,
and other things, for the limner's dinner whilst painting
the globe, and occasionally also for Peham; and for bread
for cleansing the globe, and making it nice, fl. 1, lb. 1,
dn. 16; also to Gagenhart for lettering, 16 dn.; fecit,
miscellaneous expenses.
fl. 1, lb. 3, dn. 21 (14s. 5d.)
"_Item_ paid Glockengiesser for a mould broken by Kalperger,
and round which Kalperger was to have made a large sphere,
both through N. Gross and M. Peham
fl. 2, lb.-, dn.- (£1.)
"_Item_ paid for white vellum (parchment) covering the
sphere, 80 dn.; also for a cover lined with skin to protect
the sphere from dust, 3 lb., 20 dn.; also to the smith for
two iron hoops within which the sphere revolves, 4 lb. 6
dn.; also to the joiner for wooden stand of the sphere, 4
lb. 6 dn. facit, miscellaneous expenses
fl. 1, lb. 6, dn. 10 (17s. 7d.)
"_Item_ paid to Mr. Marten Beham for a printed mappa mundi,
embracing the whole world, which was used for the globe, and
is to be hung in the town office, 1 fl. 3 lb.; also for
painting, etc., 1 fl.; also for lining and glueing
(mounting) the same, 5 lb. 10 dn.; also to the joiner for a
frame and two panels, 1 fl.; also to the starch painter for
painting these panels,
4 lb. 6 dn.; facit fl. 4, lb. 4, dn. 6 (£2 5s.)
"_Item_, Kalperger has not been paid for making the sphere:
he demands 3 fl., but owes for the linen which was used for
the old tent over the 'beautiful fountain,' in return for
which he was to have made the large sphere; he had also
broken the pattern or mould for which 2 gulden (20s) had to
be paid to Glockengiesser; he also promised Mr. Merten that
if he taught him the art of cosmography or the laying out
(planning) of the globe he would make another sphere during
the time."
[105] An account of October 16, 1510, reads, "_Item_, 1 lb.
Nov for a large brass sign surrounding the map." This
doubtless is a reference to the globe. Ghillany attributes
this work to Werner. See also Günther, S. Johann Werner von
Nürnberg und seine Beziehungen zur mathematischen und
physikalischen Erdkunde. Halle, 1878.
[106] Ravenstein, op. cit., pp. 59-60.
[107] Ravenstein, op. cit., pp. 75-76.
[108] Ravenstein, op. cit., p. 77.
[109] D'Avezac, M. A. P. Sur un globe terrestre trouvé a
Laon, anterieur à la découverte de l'Amérique. (In: Bulletin
de la Société de Géographie de France. Paris, 1860.)
This work contains an announcement of the discovery of the
globe, together with a description of the same.
Raemdonck, J. v. Les sphères céleste et terrestre de Gérard
Mercator. St. Nicolas, 1874. pp. 25 ff. Nordenskiöld.
Facsimile Atlas, p. 73.
[110] Britten, F. J. Old clocks and watches and their
makers. New York, 1911; Berthoud, F. Histoire de la mesure
du temps par les horologes. Paris, 1849.
Globe clocks, or clocks of which globes were a conspicuous
feature, were not uncommon in this period. See the
reference, p. 73, to the Lenox globe, the reference, p. 74,
to the Jagellonicus globe, and the reference, p. 173, to the
work of Dasypodius.
[111] Vignaud, H. Toscanelli and Columbus. London, 1902.
This is a very remarkable piece of historical criticism.
Citation is given for every statement of special importance,
including a reference to those students of the question who
do not agree with the author's point of view. See also this
distinguished author's work, Histoire critique de la Grande
Entreprise de Christophe Colomb. Paris, 1911. 2 vols.
[112] Las Casas, Bartolomè de. Historia de las Indias.
Madrid, 1875. Vol. I, p. 92.
[113] Ulloa, A. Histoire del S. D. Fernando Colombo. Venice,
1571. Chap. vii, p. 15. See Churchill, Voyages, also Bourne,
E. G., Spain in America. New York, 1904.
[114] Las Casas, op. cit., pp. 224 ff.
[115] Las Casas, op. cit., p. 48.
[116] Harrisse, H. Jean et Sébastien Cabot. Paris, 1862.
Doc. X, p. 324; Tarducci, F. Di Giovanni e Sebastiano
Caboto. Venezia, 1892. p. 351; Winsor, J. Narrative and
Critical History of America. Boston, 1884. Vol. III, pp.
54-55.
Harrisse and Tarducci print the letter of Soncino in the
original Italian; Winsor gives the first translation into
English (tr. by Professor B. H. Nash). A very superior work
for reference to the Cabots is: Winship, G. P. Cabot
Bibliography. London, 1900.
[117] Moll, J. C. A. Johannes Stöffler von Justingen, ein
Characterbild aus dem ersten Halbjahrhundert der Universität
Tübingen. Lindau, 1877.
[118] This work is referred to by Moll in his chapter on
"Stöfflers Schriften."
[119] Moll, op. cit., chap. ix, "Stöffler als Mechaniker,"
refers to him as globe maker and as clock maker, with
special mention of his three celestial globes.
[120] Günther is in error in referring to this globe as the
one now in Constance.
[121] Moll, op. cit., pp. 49-51.
[122] Günther, S. Geschichte. pp. 250 ff.
[123] Aschbach, J. v. Die Wiener Universität und ihre
Humanisten im Zeitalters Kaiser Maximilians I. (In:
Geschichte der Wiener Universität. Wien, 1877. Vol. II, p.
62.)
[Illustration: Ship. _From early portolan chart_]
Chapter VI
Globes of the Early Sixteenth Century
Summary of fifteenth century globe
characteristics.--Increasing interest in globes.--Globes
of Pope Julius II.--Friar Marco da Benevento.--Importance
of the Rosselli family of Florence.--The globe of Barnaba
Canti.--Friar Giuliano Vannelli.--Interest of Trithemius
in globes.--The Bunau globe.--Waldseemüller's map and
globe.--Liechtenstein globes.--Büchlin reference.--Globus
Mundi.--Welt Kugel.--Lenox globe.--Jagellonicus
globe.--Hauslab.--Green globe of Paris.--Nordenskiöld
gores.--So-called Leonardo da Vinci gores.--Boulengier
gores.--Acton globes.--Globes of Magellan and of del
Cano.--Globes of Schöner.
Terrestrial globes of the early years of great geographical discoveries,
that is, of the fifteenth century, to which reference was made in the
preceding chapter, appear to have been constructed either of metal, on
the surface of which the map was engraved, of which the Laon globe is an
example; of a composition fashioned into a ball over a mould on which
strips of parchment or paper were then pasted, having the map drawn by
hand, as the Behaim globe; or the ball was of wood with map in
manuscript, as was probably the globe attributed to John Cabot. Here
were beginnings, and the following century witnessed a remarkable
increase of interest in globe construction. As the true position of
places on the earth's surface, as well as the distance between any two
places, could best be represented on a globe, cartographers and globe
makers became active in their endeavors to meet the desires of those
interested in geography. They no longer confined themselves to such
globes as the Behaim and the Laon, which, in reality, are artistically
interesting rather than scientifically useful, but they sought to make
use of the new invention of printing. Maps giving the outlines of
continents, with place names, rivers, constellations, and star names
were printed from wood blocks or from copper engraved plates on paper
gores, which were so fashioned mathematically that they could be made to
fit the surface of a prepared ball, with careful adjustment and
manipulation. In this manner globes in great numbers could be prepared,
with the added advantage that they were all alike, or similar. The
sixteenth century soon furnished rules for globe-gore construction, and
while the methods of globe making hitherto common were not entirely
given over, as many artistic pieces of the period, which have come down
to us, testify, the new method was soon in general favor and became in
the course of time practically the only method employed. It is the globe
maker's method today.
If the actual number of globes constructed shortly before and shortly
after 1500 appears to have been small, judging from the number extant,
we often find additional assurance of interest in such instruments in
the use that was made of them for illustrative purposes, and for
decoration. Terrestrial and celestial globes, as well as armillary
spheres, frequently appeared on title-pages (Figs. 26, 27), in
paintings (Fig. 28), or constituted a part of library furnishings (Fig.
29).[124]
[Illustration: Fig. 26. Title-page of Johann Schöner's Terrae
Descriptio, 1518.]
[Illustration: Fig. 27. Second Title-page of Mauro Fiorentino's Sphera
Volgare, 1537.]
[Illustration: Fig. 28. Holbein's Ambassadors, ca. 1536.]
[Illustration: Fig. 29. Library of Escorial.]
Among the ducal houses, famous in Italy in this period for interest in
matters geographical, none was more conspicuous than was the house of
Este of Ferrara.[125] We have an interesting letter dated Rome, January
17, 1509, and written by Fioramonte Brognoli to Isabel of Este, wife of
Francis II, Marquis of Mantua, daughter of Hercules I, Duke of Ferrara,
who was responsible for the draughting of the Cantino map of the year
1502,[126] and granddaughter of Duke Borso, to whom Donnus Nicholas
Germanus dedicated or addressed, in 1466, his twenty-seven Ptolemy
maps.[127] Brognoli, having received from the Marchioness an order for a
copy of the globes, terrestrial and celestial, possessed by Pope Julius
II, made reply that "the map and celestial signs which are painted on
two solid spheres in the library of the Pope, of which your Excellency
would like to have copies, I have ordered, and the same to be made by a
good painter of the Palace, who tells me that it will take some time
because the matter is quite difficult. I will not fail in care, and will
provide the necessary funds, so that as soon as possible I will send
them to you by a trusty messenger."[128] Again the Roman correspondent
wrote, the letter bearing date February 1, 1505, "That master painter
who would like to make copies of the map and the zodiac which are in the
library of the Pope, about which Your Excellency wrote me some time ago,
tells me that to make them with linen it will cost more than forty
ducats, but to draw them on paper according to a certain design which is
painted on canvas in that place, it would cost very little. I thought I
would inform Your Excellency before giving the order, that I might
ascertain your wishes, for I shall do exactly that which you
desire."[129] February 20, 1505, the Marchioness replied from Mantua,
saying that "the expense of forty ducats will not deter us, if the copy
of the map and of the zodiac is well made and is similar to that found
in the library of the Pope. You may order it to be made with extreme
diligence and with exactness."[130]
The globe of Pope Julius II, in question, must then have been
constructed prior to 1505, seeing this to be the year of the
correspondence to which reference has been made above. From the
partial description given in the letters we are led to the conclusion
that they were not engraved metal globes, but their maps were
manuscript, and were well decorated by hand. The Vatican Museum is still
in possession of a celestial globe which may well be one of those once
belonging to Pope Julius II, the terrestrial globe having disappeared.
From the interesting description of Denza[131] we learn that this
remaining one is a hollow wooden ball, 95 cm. in diameter. That there
might be an even surface on which to draw the star map, a covering of
plaster had been provided, 4 mm. in thickness. It is furnished with a
somewhat elaborate base, ornamented with sphinxes with the heads of
eagles and the feet of lions. Its horizon circle, supported by four
quarter circles, is a band 5 cm. wide, the surface of which is divided
into five concentric circles, within which are the names of the several
signs of the zodiac in Latin, the names of the days of the month, and
the names of the eight principal winds in the Italian language. Along
the outer edge of this horizon circle is the following inscription,
"Daniel Chassignet. Fecit. Romae 1617," a name and date clearly applying
only to this circle or to the globe's mounting. It has a meridian circle
within which the sphere revolves. On the surface of the ball we find
represented the principal circles, that is, the equator, the tropics,
the polar circles, with five meridians, and the ecliptic, its twelve
signs being represented in gilded characters. The coat of arms, painted
near the south pole, is not that of Pope Julius II, but of Cardinal Gian
Stefano Ferrero, Bishop of Bologna, who became a supporter of Juliani
della Rovere in his candidacy for the papal office, and to which office
he was elected, becoming known as Julius II. Fiorini thinks it probable
that the globe was presented by Cardinal Ferrero to the Pope, and that
while in his possession the coat of arms was painted on its surface. It
is indeed not improbable that it was originally constructed for the
Cardinal. Contrary to the opinion of Denza, Fiorini's conclusion is
that the decoration of the globe is not to be attributed to Giulio
Romano, a distinguished pupil of Raphael, and the arguments presented
seem acceptable.[132]
As proof of an existing interest in globes, in Italy, in the first years
of the sixteenth century, other than that given by the letters of Isabel
of Este, and the globes of Pope Julius, we find an allusion to the
subject by Friar Marco da Benevento, member of the order of Celestini
and a renowned mathematician. In his 'Orbis nova descriptio,'[133] which
he added to an edition of Ptolemy, issued in Rome in the year 1507 or
1508, he alludes to the difficulty of representing the earth upon a
solid sphere, adding that the greater the size of the same the greater
the difficulty there is in moving it, and that the larger the globe the
more difficult it is to take in at a glance any considerable part of the
map. While making no specific mention of any of the globe makers of the
time, his reference to the subject seems to assure us that globes were
objects more or less familiar to students of geography in his day.
Fiorini cites at some length an inventory relating to the printing
establishment of Alexander Rosselli of Florence, under whose father,
Francesco, this establishment became famous.[134] The father died in the
year 1510, but it is probable that this artist, painter, and
miniaturist, who issued for his establishment numerous maps, printed,
likewise, globe gores. While the inventory gives us intimation of his
great activity, we have no further knowledge of his work as a globe
maker than is contained therein. It may well have been that the
construction of globes with printed gore maps had its origin in Florence
in the very early sixteenth century, and that a credit we have been
accustomed to give to German map makers[135] is in reality due the
Rosselli family of Italy, particularly Francesco Rosselli.
Fiorini likewise alludes to a letter written by Friar Zenobio Acciaioli,
dated Lucca, May 12, 1509, and addressed to the Florentine, Luigi Pietro
Guicciardini, brother of the distinguished historian.[136] Request is
made in this letter that assistance and advice be given to a brother
monk, Barnaba Canti, who had been asked to describe a map on which the
newly discovered lands were well drawn, there being written on the map
the history of the islands, with a description of the lands and of the
customs of the peoples. Attention is likewise called to a globe which
Canti possessed, it being designated as "sphaerula" or small. The letter
further notes, "Cupit autem illam Joannes teutonicus astrologus, ut ex
suis ad me literis quas inclusas tibi in his mitto, videre poteris."
"John the German astronomer desires this (map?) as you will be able to
see from his letters to me which enclosed I send to you."
It is ingeniously argued that the Joannes referred to was none other
than John Schöner, who later became famous as mathematician and as map
and globe maker, and that the globe referred to by Acciaioli was one in
the construction of which the globe gores of Rosselli had been used,
since "Joannes teutonicus" in all probability would not have thought of
receiving from Italy a manuscript globe.
For the history of globe making as practiced in Florence in these early
years, there is in the record of the deliberations of the Florentine
Signoria, dated December 30, 1515, an entry of interest.[137] The Priors
and Gonfaloniers directed attention to the sphere, which had been placed
in the orologia or clock room, noting that the terrestrial orb which had
been painted thereon was greatly damaged, "... super qua depicta est
figura et situs orbis terrarum ... devastata et male picta." They
expressed a desire that it should be fully repaired and be made suitable
as an adornment of the wonderful clock, and in keeping with the
remarkable celestial sphere which was placed near by: "ut similis sit et
non discrepet, in sua qualitate, a mirabili orologio predicto, et a
convicina et mirabili palla, ubi apparet figura et ambitus celi." Having
knowledge of the ability and skill of Friar Giuliano Vannelli, it was
decided to entrust the reconstruction to him. We learn that on June 28,
1516, the Signoria directed payment of fifty large florins be made to
Friar Giuliano, in addition to the six already paid, for the painted
sphere; that on July 17, 1516, the officers of the Monte Comune directed
the payment of fifty-six large gold florins to "Don Giuliani Vanegli"
"in appreciation of his work, and as a reward for having made one of the
two balls of the clock, which is in the large room of the Signoria,
which ball he both designed and painted, showing on it the entire
universe, according to Ptolemy and other authors who deal with the
subject." Fiorini notes that as at this time the terrestrial sphere was
damaged it probably was several years old, and that if badly painted
(male picta) the inference is, it failed to record the latest
discoveries. If the exact date of the construction of the spheres which
adorn this clock cannot be ascertained, it was at least before
1500.[138]
We have further evidence of Vannelli's interest in globe construction
contained in a letter dated Rome, November, 1524, and addressed to
Cardinal Giovanni Salviati, a legate of Lombardy. "Your Excellency has
asked me to make for you a small ball _de situ orbis_, of the size and
character of that of Giovanni Ruccellai.... I have made the said ball,
and have varnished it, but the weather being bad it will not be dry for
eight or ten days.... Your Excellency also tells me that you would like
to have a large globe similar to that of Mons. R. Rodulphis, which I
have begun. If you desire that I should go on with the work, I shall
willingly do so, putting aside all other work to serve you."[139]
To the interest in globe making north of the Alps in the first quarter
of the sixteenth century attention may next be directed. In a letter
written by Johannes Trithemius to Vuilhelmus Veldicus Monapius, dated
August 12, 1507, may be found an early allusion to globes. He says:
"Orbem terrae marisqui et insularum quem pulchre depictum in Vuormotia
scribis esse venalem, me quidem consequi posse obtarum, sed
quadraginta pro illo expendere florenos, nemo mihi facile persuadet.
Comparavi autem mihi, ante paucos dies, pro aere modico sphaeram orbis
pulchram in quantitate parva ..." "I wanted to buy a finely painted
globe of the earth, seas, and islands, which I wrote was for sale in
Worms, but I could hardly be induced to give such a price for it as
forty florins. I purchased, however, a few days since at a low price, a
beautiful terrestrial globe of small size."[140] He wrote further,
"Henricum de Bunau dies vita audini defunctum, sed libros eius et globum
cosmographiae quem alim comparavit ex officina tua remanisse apud
Saxoniae Principes, quod tu existimas non audini." "I am informed that
Henry Bunau died some time ago, but I never heard it said that his books
and the cosmographical globe which he bought in your workshop remained
with the Princes of Saxony, as you believe."[141] It has been thought by
some that the globe referred to as having been purchased in Worms was
the globe of Waldseemüller.
Since the discovery in 1902 of the long-lost Waldseemüller maps of 1507
and of 1516 by Professor Joseph Fischer, S.J., in the library of Prince
de Waldburg-Wolfegg (Fig. 30), great interest has centered especially in
the work of that early German map maker. As the new transatlantic
discoveries of the Spanish and the Portuguese greatly quickened interest
in geographical science and made necessary the construction of new maps
in rapid succession, Germany, already a land in which the renaissance
spirit had found an enthusiastic reception, and whose people were awake
to every new interest, soon became a center for the spread of
information concerning the new regions. Commercially important trade
cities of this country had been for some time in intimate touch with the
important maritime trade centers of Spain and Portugal. Word of the
newest discoveries was quickly carried over the Alps to France and to
Germany, and the latest publication of the writer on matters
geographical had its references to the parts of the world newly found of
which Ptolemy had not known.
[Illustration: Fig. 30. Castle of Prince Waldburg de Wolfegg.]
One of the first German geographers of the century, and now justly famed
as one of the most distinguished of the period, was Martin Waldseemüller
(ca. 1470-1522 ca.), whose name, according to the practice of the time,
was classicized as Hylacomylus.[142] So significant was the influence of
Waldseemüller in the mapping of the New World that a somewhat detailed
word concerning him may here well be given. When Duke René of Lorraine
(1451-1508) became a patron of learning, with particular interest in
cosmography or geography, the cartographical studies of the Germans
began to have a place of far-reaching importance. It was under this
enlightened duke that the little town of St. Dié became a center of
culture. Here was organized the Vosgian Gymnasium,[143] a society of
learned men not unlike the Platonic Academy of Florence or the Danubian
Society, Vienna. Of this St. Dié coterie none was more prominent than
Jean Bassin de Sandacourt,[144] the translator of the 'Four Voyages' of
Amerigo Vespucci from the French into the Latin, Lud, the ducal
secretary and author of an important little work of but few pages, which
he called 'Speculi orbis succinciss ...,'[145] and Waldseemüller, the
professor of cosmography, the author of the 'Cosmographiae Introductio
...,'[146] and a cartographer of great skill, who, with Ringmann,
planned and carried well on toward completion, as early as 1507 or 1508,
an edition of Ptolemy, which in 1513 was printed in the city of
Strassburg.[147] It probably was as early as 1505 that the plan was
under consideration for a new translation of Ptolemy from the Greek into
the Latin, and that thought perhaps had its inspiration in the letters
of Vespucci, in which he gave an account of his four voyages, and in the
new chart which but recently had fallen into the hands of Ringmann.
These charts, says Lud, in his 'Speculum,' came from Portugal, which, if
true, leads one to the belief that they exhibited genuine Vespucian
data.[148] Whatever the truth concerning the origin of these charts,
that determination became a starting point for a most important
evolution in cartographical history of the world.[149] In April, 1507,
Waldseemüller had written to his friend, Amerbach, in Basel, "Non credo
te latere nos Ptholomei cosmographiam, recognitio et adiectis quibusdam
novis tabulis impressuros in oppido Divi Deodati.... Solidum quod ad
generale Ptholomei paravimus nondum impressum est, erit autem impressum
infra mensis spacium."[150] "I think you know already that I am on the
point of printing in the town of St. Dié (Lorraine), the Cosmography of
Ptolemy, after having added to the same some new maps.... the globe
comprising Ptolemy in general, which we have prepared, is not yet
printed, but will be so in a month." While great interest centers in
these "new maps," prepared for the proposed edition of Ptolemy, a
greater interest now centers in the map to which Waldseemüller
repeatedly alludes in the years 1507-1511, especially in his
'Cosmographiae Introductio' (Fig. 31), which map it was the good fortune
of Professor Joseph Fischer, S. J., to bring to light in the year 1902,
as noted above.[151] In the dedication of his little book to the Emperor
Maximilian, he says, "Hinc fact[=u] est [=v]t me libros Ptholomei ad
ex[=e]plar Grec[=u] quorunda ope p virili recognosc[=e]te & quatuor
Americi Vespucii navigation[=u] lustratio[=e]s adiici[=e]te: totius
orbis typ[=u] t[=a] in solido [=q][z]plano (velut preuiam quand[=a]
ysagogen) p c[=o]muno studiosor[=u] vtilitate parauerim."[152]
"Therefore studying to the best of my ability and with the aid of
several persons, the Books of Ptolemy from a Greek copy, and adding the
Relations of the Four Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci, I have prepared for
the general use of scholars a map of the whole world, like an
introduction, so to speak, both in the solid and on a plane."
Waldseemüller says further, wherein he gives a description of his new
map, "Propositum est hoc libello quandam Cosmographie introduction[=e]
scribere; quam nos tam in solido [=q][z] plano depinximus. In solido
quidem spacio exclusi strictissime. Sed latius in plano...."[153] "The
purpose of this little book is to write a description of the world map,
which we have designed, both as a globe and as a projection. The globe I
have designed on a small scale, the map on a larger."
[Illustration: Fig. 31. World Map of Martin Waldseemüller, 1507.]
From the above citation it appears that as early as April, 1507, the
same preparation had been made for a globe that had been made for the
issue of a large world map. The map, as noted, has been found, but
neither a globe nor a set of globe gores is known bearing the
indisputable evidence of his authorship. In the library of Prince
Liechtenstein, however, is a somewhat crudely executed gore map (Fig.
32) which, according to certain cartographical students, should be
accepted as a copy of the work to which the allusions are made in the
'Cosmographiae.'[154] These gores, twelve in number, and each 12 cm. in
length, this length representing the length of a meridian of the globe
ball which the gores could be made to cover, were printed from a wood
engraved block. They exhibit the Old World, in the main, in accord with
the Ptolemaic idea, and the New World with a close resemblance to the
Canerio map record, and that of Waldseemüller's world map of 1507.[155]
The North American region is nameless, but the South American region
bears conspicuously the name "America." At intervals of ten degrees
lines of latitude and longitude are marked. As a title to a lithographic
reproduction of this map issued some years since by the Prince, is the
subscription "Erster gedruckter Globus. Martin Hylocomylus
(Waltzemüller). Gehört wahrscheinlich zo seinem 1509 herausgegebenen
Buche Globus Mundi." "First printed globe. Martin Hylacomylus
(Waltzemüller). Probably belonging to his Globus Mundus which appeared
in 1509."[156]
[Illustration: Fig. 32. Globe Gores Attributed to Martin Waldseemüller,
1509.]
That which adds special significance to this young German's
representations of the new lands, so far as our study of globes is
concerned, is the repeated recurrence of his particular outlines or
contours in the globe maps of the first quarter of the century, produced
by such cartographers as Johann Schöner of Nürnberg, and by those of his
school, as will be noted below. Both the globe and the large world map
were doubtless printed in large numbers and widely distributed.
Waldseemüller states in a legend on his marine chart of 1516 that he had
printed his map of 1507 in one thousand copies,[157] but one of which is
now known.
In a little tract, printed in Strassburg in the year 1509, there appears
to be a reference to a globe which may be that constructed by
Waldseemüller. It is this reference which the Prince of Liechtenstein,
as noted above, has taken as a reference to the gore map, a copy of
which is in his collection. The title of this tract reads, "Diss büchlin
saget wie die zw[=e] durchlüchtigst[=e] herr[=e] her Fernandus, K. z[ou]
Castilien und herr Emanuel, K. z[ou]. Portugal haben das weyte mör
ers[ou]chet unnd funden vil Insulen unnd ein Nüwe welt von wilden
nackenden Leüten vormals vnbekant." "Gedruct zu Strassburg durch
Joh[=a]n[=e] Grün[=i]ger Im Iar M.CCCCC.IX vff Letare. Wie du aber dye
Kugel dü beschreibung der gantzenn welt verston soltt würst die hernach
finden vnnd lesen." "This little book relates how the two most
illustrious Lords Ferdinand, King of Castile and Emanuel, King of
Portugal have searched through the wide seas and discovered many islands
and a new world and naked peoples hitherto unknown." "Printed at
Strassburg by Johann Grüniger. In the year MCCCCCIX on Letaro. But how
you shall understand the globe and the description of the whole world
you will hereafter find out and read."[158] Harrisse thinks it probable
that a real globe accompanied and was sold with this little volume.[159]
In the same year, 1509, there issued from the press of Grüniger a second
volume, in character somewhat like the preceding, but in the Latin
language. In this the allusion to the globe is more definite, for its
title seems to assure us that it was prepared to accompany a real globe.
This title reads, "Globus mundi Declaratio siue descriptio mundi et
totius orbis terrarum. globulo rotundo comparati vt spera solida. Qua
cuiuis eti[=a] mediocriter docto ad ocul[=u] videre licet antipodes
esse, quos pedes nostris oppositi sunt." "Valete feliciter ex Argentina
ultima Augusti. Anno post natü salutator[=e]. M.D.ix. Johannes grüniger
imprimebat. Adelpho castigatore." "The world globe. Exposition or
description of the world and of the terrestrial sphere constructed as a
round globe similar to a solid sphere, whereby every man even of
moderate learning can see with his own eyes that there are antipodes
whose feet are opposite ours.... Farewell, Strassburg on the last day of
August A.D. 1509. Printed by Johann Grüniger. Corrected by
Adolphus."[160] Neither the author of this tract nor the maker of the
globe is known of certainty. They have been attributed to Glareanus as
well as to Waldseemüller.
There is still a third volume printed by Grüniger in this year, 1509,
which, however, appears to be but little more than a German translation
of the 'Globus Mundi.' The title, slightly altered, reads, "Der welt
kugel Beschryb[=u]ng der Welt und dess g[=a]tz[=e]n Erttreichs hie
angezogt [=u]nd vergleicht einer rotunden kugeln die dan sunderlich
gemacht hie z[=u] geh[=o]rede darin der Kauffm[=a] und ein ietlicher
sehen [=u]nd mercken mag wie die menschen und[=e] geg[=e] uns won[=e]
[=u]n wie die son umbgang, herin beschriben mit vil seltzam[=e] dinge
(wood cut of globe) Getrucht z[=u] Strassburg. Von Johanne Grüniger in
yar. M.D.ix. uff ostern. Johanne Adelpho castigator." "Description of
the world globe, of the world and the entire terrestrial sphere here
constructed and made to resemble a round ball and is so arranged that
the merchant and every man may clearly see how that men live underneath
us, and here may be seen how the sun moves about (the earth) with many
wonderful things. Printed at Strassburg. By Johann Grüniger in the year
1509 at easter. Johann Adelpho corrector."[161] This can as confidently
be taken to refer to a real globe as the title in the tract to which
reference has just been made. It is probable that we can obtain some
idea of the appearance of the globe from the small woodcut printed on
the title-page of both the Latin and the German editions, of which a
conspicuous feature is the representation of a small land area southwest
of Africa, bearing the inscription "Nüw welt" (Fig. 33). As the little
book was issued in both Latin and German, Harrisse thinks it probable
that two editions of the globe likewise appeared.[162]
[Illustration: Fig. 33. Globus Mundi, 1509.]
The Lenox globe[163] is often referred to as the oldest extant
post-Columbian globe. It is an engraved copper ball of excellent
workmanship, 127 mm. in diameter (Figs. 34, 35), neither signed nor
dated, and is without mountings. A critical study of its geographical
records, particularly of the New World representations, has led to the
conclusion that it was made as early as 1510. The two sections or
hemispheres of which it is composed are joined at the equator. Neither
parallels nor meridians are indicated, and though a striking error
appears in giving to the eastern hemisphere, or the Old World, too great
an extension in longitude, the principal latitudes are well given. The
globe was found in the year 1850, in Paris, by Mr. Richard Hunt, by whom
it was presented to Mr. James Lenox, and is now one of the choicest
objects in that great collector's library, which library constitutes an
important part of the New York Public Library. In its New World
representation, South America appears as a large island having three
regional names, "Mundus Novus," "Terra Sanctae Crucis," and "Terra de
Brazil." "Isabel" (Cuba), "Spagnolla" (Haiti), and a few unnamed islands
belonging to the West Indies have been outlined. In the place of North
America there are scattered islands, one of which, located near the
northwest extremity of "Terra de Brazil," bears the name "Zipangri"
(Japan), and one in the far north, but unnamed, clearly resembles the
Cortereal region, as it appears on the Cantino and on the Canerio map. A
few of the many islands in the eastern seas are designated by name as
"Taprobana," "Madagascar," and "Seilan."
[Illustration: Fig. 34. Lenox Globe, 1510.]
[Illustration: Fig. 35. Lenox Globe in Hemispheres.]
A globe but little known, but resembling in a striking manner the Lenox,
is that belonging to the Jagellonicus University Library of Cracow,
Poland.[164] It is a gilded copper ball, 7.3 cm. in diameter (Figs. 36,
37), and constitutes a part of a fine old clock of the sixteenth
century. Meridians and parallels are engraved and numbered on its
surface at intervals of ten degrees, the prime meridian passing through
the island Ferro. While it is neither signed nor dated, there is
scarcely a doubt that it is as old as the Lenox globe; indeed, the
geographical features of the two globes are so similar that they appear
to be the work of the same globe maker, or copies of a common original,
yet it is noteworthy that the nomenclature of the Jagellonicus globe is
somewhat richer. The large island which lies southeast of Madagascar and
is nameless on the Lenox appears on the Jagellonicus with a very
interesting inscription, reading "America noviter reperta." Comparing
the coast of "Mundus Novus" with the coast of this "America noviter
reperta," Tadeus Estreicher finds support for the belief that the globe
was constructed soon after the year 1507, in which year Waldseemüller
suggested the name America for the region discovered by Amerigo
Vespucci. He, however, seems not to have noticed the possibility that
the inscription appearing on this large island indicated not only an
acquaintance, on the part of the Jagellonicus cartographer, with
Waldseemüller's suggestion as to the name America, but a belief that
America was actually located in this particular region. In his chapter
on climates Waldseemüller says, "Atq[z] in sexto climate Antarcticù
versus & pars extrema Africae nuper reperta & Zamzibar Iauva minor &
Seula insule & quarta orbis pars (quam quia Americus inveuit Amerigen
quasi Americi terr[=a] siue Americ[=a] nuncupare licet) sitae sunt." "In
the sixth climate toward the Antarctic there are situated the farthest
part of Africa, recently discovered, the islands Zanzibar, the lesser
Java, and Seula, and the fourth part of the earth, which, because
Amerigo discovered it, we may call Amerige, the land of Amerigo, so to
speak, or America."[165] Following the above, Waldseemüller notes what
Pomponius Mela has to say concerning "these southern climates," that is,
concerning this antipodal region.
[Illustration: Fig. 36. Jagellonicus Globe, 1510.]
[Illustration: Fig. 37. Jagellonicus Globe in Hemispheres.]
In the rich cartographical collection of Prince Liechtenstein there may
be found, in addition to the globe gores referred to above, an
interesting globe, usually referred to as the mounted Hauslab
globe.[166] It is of wood, having a diameter of about 37 cm. and is
covered with a preparation on which a world map has been drawn or
painted. It is furnished with a wooden base, a meridian and a horizon
circle of brass, and an axis of iron on which it turns, all of which
furnishings, however, appear to be of later date than the sphere itself.
Though neither signed nor dated, it exhibits many features which suggest
a close relationship with the globes of Johann Schöner; indeed, it is
not improbable that it is an early example of his workmanship. "I am of
the opinion," says Luksch, "that the globe of Schöner of 1515 and the
Hauslab globe were drawn from one common original sketch," a conclusion
based largely upon the fact that on the two globes the outlines of the
New World are almost identical. As to the date when constructed, a
comparison with other globes of the second decade of the century has led
to the conclusion that it must have been prior to the year 1515, and
perhaps as early as 1513. In its representation of the Old World, the
land is made to extend through 240 degrees, counting from the island of
Porto Santo, whose meridian has been taken as the prime meridian. The
northern section of the New World is given the name "Par(ias)," the last
letters of the word having been obliterated by age, while the southern
section is called "America." The great austral land south of the apex of
the southern continent, appearing on the Schöner globe of 1515 as
"Brasilie regio," is omitted on the Hauslab globe. The continents,
rivers, and mountains represented are very dark in color, and were
probably originally blue, black, or red, and the seas are a dark blue.
The equator, as drawn on the surface of the sphere, is divided into
degrees, represented alternately in white and black, and every tenth
degree is indicated by an appropriate number, beginning, as stated
above, at the island of Porto Santo. By way of decoration a border of
gold is given to the lines representing the equator, the tropics, and
the polar circles.
In the geographical department of the Bibliothèque Nationale of Paris is
a globe referred to in cartographical literature as the Green globe, or
the Quirini globe, the first name being given to it by Gabriel
Marcel,[167] by reason of the prominence of the color green employed in
painting the seas (Fig. 38). It is an unsigned and undated wooden
sphere, 24 cm. in diameter. Its surface appears to have been covered
with a coating of paint, originally white, and on this the world map was
drawn. There is much artistic skill displayed in the coast
configurations, with the deeply shaded seaboards making the land appear
to rise above the ocean surface, and in the representation of the
islands, most of which are made conspicuous in red or gold. The
inscriptions in dark brown, perhaps originally black, are neatly
written, clearly suggesting that the globe was constructed in the
first quarter of the sixteenth century, perhaps as early as 1513 or
1515. The equator, the tropics, and the polar circles are traced in
gold; the degrees of latitude and longitude are marked in red, and at
intervals of ten degrees. The prime meridian is made to pass through the
Cape Verde Islands, islands referred to as "Insule Portugalensium
invente anno Domini 1472." This globe shows a striking resemblance to
those of Schöner of 1515, a fact which has led Marcel to refer it to the
Schönerian school, though not to attribute it directly to Schöner
himself. A very important and interesting feature of the globe is the
appearance of the name "America" no less than four times in the New
World; twice in what we now call North America and twice in South
America. It is, indeed, the oldest known cartographical monument on
which the name America is given both to the north and the south
continental areas. In the southern continent we read "America ab
inuentore nuncupata," and near the Antilles "Iste insule per Columbus
genuensem almirantem et mandato regis castelle invente sunt." "These
islands were discovered by Columbus, a Genoese admiral, by command of
the king of Castile." Harrisse observes that it appears the cartographer
thought of Columbus as the discoverer of the West India Islands only,
and that he thought the honor of the discovery of the American
continents, north and south, belongs to Vespucius.[168] An austral land
appears, though nameless, which Schöner called "Brasilie regio" on his
globe of 1515, and "Brasilia inferior" on his globe of 1520.
[Illustration: Fig. 38. The Green Globe, 1515.]
Nordenskiöld has described a set of twelve globe gores, engraved on
wood, belonging to his own collection, which he assigns to the year
1518.[169] Of these particular gores three sets are known; one being in
the collection of Prince Liechtenstein (Fig. 39), one in the
Bibliothèque Nationale, and one, as noted, in the possession of
Nordenskiöld. On these gore maps North America bears the name "Terra
Cuba" and "Parias." South America has the name "America" inscribed in
large letters, with an accompanying legend reading "Terra Noua Inuenta
est Anno 1497." "The New World discovered in the year 1497."[170] The
austral land, appearing on the Schöner globes, is wanting. By reason of
the fact that the names of but two European cities are inscribed, these
being "Ingolstadt" and "St. Jacobus," the suggestion has been made that
the map is the work of Apianus, a celebrated geographer of Ingolstadt,
author of the important map of 1520 and a globe maker.[171] In their
general features these gores are of the Schönerian type, which we may
also characterize as Lusitano-Germanic.
[Illustration: Fig. 39. Liechtenstein Globe Gores, ca. 1518.]
In the Royal Collections of Windsor Castle may be found a set of eight
globe gores (Fig. 135), attributed by Major to Leonardo da Vinci, but
with very little more reason for the assignment than the fact that they
were found in a collection of papers in the handwriting of that famous
artist. They are drawn as equilateral triangles, each representing one
eighth of the earth's surface, not as biangles, which is the usual form
for early globe gores.[172] Major described the map as the oldest known
on which the name America appears, giving as the probable date of
construction the year 1514, which date is thought by Harrisse to be five
or six years too early.[173] Such a distinction as was claimed for the
record of the name America by Major, being likewise assigned at various
times to other early maps, has at last been definitely fixed as
belonging to the world map of Waldseemüller of 1507.[174] The outlines
of the New World bear a resemblance to those found in the Lenox and the
Jagellonicus globes. The North American region is represented by two
islands, one of which bears the name "Bacalar," the other "Terra
Florida." South America, a large island, has conspicuously inscribed the
name "America," together with a few prominent coast names. These gores
are chiefly of interest by reason of their peculiar form.
An interesting set of globe gores of the first quarter of the sixteenth
century is that attributed to Boulengier, of which but one copy, now
belonging to the New York Public Library, is known.[175] These gores,
twelve in number (Fig. 40), were printed from a copper engraved plate 18
by 36 cm. in size, but bear neither date nor name of author. The title
appearing across the bottom of the map reads, "Vniversalis cosmographie
descriptio tam in solido quem plano." They were found in a copy of
Waldseemüller's 'Cosmographiae Introductio,' printed at Lyons by Jean de
la Place, but undated. Harrisse gives as the probable date of the
publication between November 27, 1517, and May 26, 1518.[176] With this
engraved world map were found two other copper plates, one bearing the
title "Astrolabium Phisicum," the other "Motus novae spere et
trepidacionis spere MDXIV," and signed "Artificis Ludovici Boulengier,
Allebie, 1514." As this edition of the 'Cosmographiae' was prepared for
the press by Boulengier,[177] who in his day achieved distinction as a
mathematician, astronomer, and geographer, this gore map has been
ascribed to him. It appears from a statement on the verso of a folded
plate belonging to Chapter VIII that a globe had been prepared to
accompany it.[178] This statement, while not agreeing in all respects
with one to be found in the edition of 1507, is of similar import.
Boulengier states in his dedicatory letter that he had noted other
globes which had been previously published. As a bit of copper engraving
it is very artistically done; its inscriptions, coast outlines, and
rivers are drawn in soft ornamental lines. That region representing
North America bears simply the name "Nova," while South America is
referred to as "America noviter reperta," a wording for this information
which elsewhere appears only on the Jagellonicus globe. These gores are
of sufficient dimensions to cover a ball 11 cm. in diameter.
[Illustration: Fig. 40. Terrestrial Globe Gores of Boulengier, ca.
1518.]
In the year 1877 or 1878, reports Professor Ferdinando Jacoli, Admiral
William Acton acquired two interesting and scientifically valuable
terrestrial globes of the early sixteenth century once belonging to
Count Piloni of Belluno, Italy.[179] That one appearing to be the older
of the two resembles so closely the Paris green globe in size, having a
diameter of 24 cm., and in its details, that there is good reason for
thinking it to be the work of the same author. Like the Paris globe it
is neither signed nor dated. The surface of the ball is covered with a
preparation of plaster on which the geographical details have been
written. Seas and lands are colored, the equator, the tropics, and the
polar circles are indicated by gilded lines. Meridians are drawn at
intervals of ten degrees, the prime meridian passing through the Canary
Islands, and parallels are likewise represented at intervals of ten
degrees. The metal meridian circle and the stand upon which the sphere
rests retain in places some of the old gilding. Professor Jacoli
expresses the opinion that it may be of Spanish or of Portuguese origin,
an opinion based upon the nomenclature. It seems, however, probable that
the author was an Italian and that he merely employed the Spanish or the
Portuguese sources, as was so frequent, and in so large a measure
necessary, in that day. In Africa the author has represented the
"Peludes nili," and two lakes into which several rivers flow having
their source in the Mountains of the Moon. To the southeast of the
continent is represented "Zanzibar insula," and near this are a number
of small islands with the legend "Iste insule ex mandato regis
Portugalliae lustrate sunt." The islands of Ceylon and Sumatra are laid
down but are given the names "Taprobana" and "Seula" respectively. In
the interior of Asia we read "Carama civitas magna," near this "Thebet
provincia mais," and below "Hic dñat prespiter Johannes rex totius
Indiae." In eastern Asia is the name "Catay" and near this the legend
"Zumsay est quedã civitas mag. in medio lacus magnus," the Paris globe
having "Quinsay" instead of "Zumsay." The New World in its outlines
bears striking resemblance to the early globes of Schöner. Along the
west coast of South America is the legend "Tota ista provincia inventa
est per mandatum regis Castelle," near the same "Terra ultra
incognita," and extending along the west coast of North America "Terra
ulterius incognita," all of which legends, in identical wording, appear
on the Paris globe. The Antilles are referred to in the legend "iste
insule per Columbum Genuensem Almirantem ex mandato regis Castelle
perite sunt," and in South America "America ab inventore nuncupata."
Near the west coast of Africa we find "Insule portugalensium
invente--domini 1477," one of which is called "visionis insula." The
author has also represented an Antarctic continent but has made no
reference to it by specific name or legend. If the Paris globe was
constructed before 1520, as Marcel concluded, there is likewise good
reason why the Acton globe should also be assigned to the second decade
of the sixteenth century.
Las Casas, in his 'Historia de las Indias,' tells us that when Magellan
(Fig. 41) offered his services to the King of Spain for an expedition to
the Moluccas he had a globe to serve him in the demonstration of his
plan. "Traìa el Magallanes vn Globo bien pintado, en que toda la tierra
estaba, y alli señalò el camino que habia de llevar, salvo que el
estracho dejò, de industria, en blanco, porque alguno no se lo
saltease."[180] "Magellan had a well painted globe, which exhibited the
entire earth, and he showed thereby the route which he thought of
taking, but with intention he had left the strait blank so that no one
might learn his secret."
[Illustration: Fig. 41. Portrait of Magellan.]
Other allusions to this globe we do not have, unless there is such in a
letter written by Sebastian Alvares to King Don Manuel, dated Seville,
July 18, 1519. In giving information concerning the plan of Magellan
Alvares states: "A rrota que se diz que han de levar he dir^{to} ao cabo
fryo ficando lhe o brasy a m[~a]o dir^{ta} ate pasar a linha da particâo e
daly navegar ao eloeste e loes noroeste dir^{tos} a maluco a quall
t[~r]ra de maluco en vy asentada na poma e carta que ea fez o f^o de
Reynell a quall nò era acabada quando caa seu pay veo por ele, e seu pay
acabou tudo e pos estas t[~r]ras de maluco e p este paderam se fazem
todallas cartas as quaêes faz di^o Ribeiro e faz as agulhas quadrantes e
esperas, porem nò vay narmada nem [~q]r mais [~q] ganhar de comeer p seu
engenho." "The course which it is said they are to take is straight to
Cape Frio, Brazil remaining on their right hand until they reach the
line of demarcation, thence they are to navigate to the west and
west-northwest straight to Moluco, which land of Moluco I have seen laid
down on the sphere and map which the son of Reynell made here which was
not complete when his father came here for him; and his father finished
it all, and placed these islands of Moluco; and after this pattern all
the maps are made which Diego Ribeiro makes, and he makes the compasses,
quadrants and globes, but he does not go in the fleet, nor does he wish
to do more than gain his living by his skill."[181]
We find reference to a globe of this early period as belonging to Juan
Sebastian del Cano, the reference thereto being contained in his will
made on board the Victoria, June 26, 1526, and reading "Una esfera poma
del mondo."[182] It probably was made of wood and painted, as there is
good reason for believing that such as were carried by early navigators
on their vessels were of this character. Harrisse thinks "this globe
would probably prove to be one of the most interesting of all for that
period, exhibiting, doubtless, the hypothesis of Magellan relative to
the configuration of the southwest coast of South America north of 50
degrees south latitude."[183] Although the will of Del Cano is dated
1526 there is reason for thinking the globe was constructed prior to
1520.
Among the globe makers of the early sixteenth century none merits
greater distinction than Johann Schöner of Nürnberg (1477-1547) (Fig.
42), mathematician, astronomer, and geographer.[184] He was born in
Carlstadt, Franconia, held a church office for some years in Bamberg,
and in the year 1526, upon the advice of Melanchthon, became a professor
of mathematics in the gymnasium of Nürnberg, to the fame of which
city, as a scientific center, Regiomontanus had so greatly contributed
in the preceding century. His activities as a globe maker began as early
as the second decade of the century, and his influence soon became very
pronounced. In Nürnberg he labored until the time of his death in the
year 1547, editing, in addition to his other activities, the literary
and scientific works of Regiomontanus and of Werner, and each year until
1543 issued his so-called Calendars. His numerous publications,
mathematical, astronomical, and cosmographical, alone entitle him to a
place of first importance among German scientific leaders of his day.
[Illustration: Fig. 42. Portrait of Johann Schöner.]
It was as early as 1515, at the cost of a wealthy patron, Johann Seylor,
that he made in Bamberg what has usually been accepted as his first
globe, two copies of which are now known, and for which it has been
thought he wrote his tract bearing title 'Luculentissima quaed[=a] terrae
totius descriptio ... cum privilegio Invictis Romanorû Impera
Maximiliani per acto annos: ne quis imprimat: aut imprimere procuret
codices has: cum globis cosmographicis: Noribergae 1515.' 'A most
luminous description of the whole earth ... with the privilege of the
Invincible Emperor of the Romans, Maximilian, for eight years to the
effect that nobody shall print or have any of these books printed, with
the cosmographic globe.'[185] On the leaf preceding "fol. 1" is the
representation of a mounted globe.
One of Schöner's globes of 1515 is to be found in the Grand Ducal
Library of Weimar, and one in the City Museum of Frankfurt (Fig. 43).
Wieser,[186] after a careful comparison, finds these globes to be
practically alike in all details. Each is 27 cm. in diameter, having the
usual mountings of brass, the whole resting on a wooden base. While
neither signed nor dated, they answer the description contained in
Schöner's little tract referred to above. That region on the globe which
we may designate North America, he calls "Parias"; the South American
continent bears the name "America" and the austral land the name
"Brasilie regio." In addition to these principal regions he has
represented the land discovered by the Cortereals, designating the same
as "Litus incognitum." Cuba bears the name "Isabella" and Haiti the name
"Spagnolla." The feature which seems to give special interest to these
globes of Schöner is the representation of a strait between "America"
and "Brasilie regio." To the significance of this particular
representation Wieser has given very careful consideration. He cites
numerous passages from the tract of Schöner, and from the 'Copia der
newen Zeitung aus Presillig Landt,'[187] a publication which he finds
good reason for believing appeared before 1515, and in which he finds an
acceptable explanation of the origin of this geographical notion
represented by Schöner, which antedates the Magellan expedition by a
period of five years.
[Illustration: Fig. 43. Globe of Johann Schöner in Hemispheres, 1515.]
It is a point to be especially noted that the dominant cosmographical
idea of the map makers of the first quarter of the century represented
the New World regions as independent of Asia. It is the idea set forth
in the Portuguese maps, such as the Cantino and the Canerio; it is the
idea which we find represented in the Waldseemüller maps and practically
in all the Lusitano-Germanic maps of the period.[188] Schöner had
written in his tract of 1515, "Hunc in modum terra quadriparita
cognoscitur, et sunt tres primae partes continentes, id est terra firma.
Sed quarta est insula, quia omniquoque mari circumdata conspicitur." "It
has now been ascertained that the earth is divided into four parts, and
the first three parts are continents, that is, main lands, but the
fourth part is an island because we see it surrounded on all sides by
the sea."[189] With regard to the relation of "Parias" to Asia, he
states, "Parias insula quae non est pars vel portio prioris, sed
specialis magna portio terrae huius quartae partis mundi." "Parias is
not a part or portion of the aforesaid country, but a large independent
portion of the earth, in that fourth part of the world."[190]
Of the globes constructed by Schöner, none is more important than that
bearing date 1520 (Fig. 44).[191] The wooden ball on which the map has
been drawn and colored by hand has a diameter of about 87 cm. and rests
upon a wooden base. Near the south pole is the date 1520 in large gilt
letters and an inscription stating that it was made at the expense of
Johannes Seyler by Jo. Schöner.[192] It is apparent that the same
sources were used for the drafting of the map on this globe that had
been used in the case of his earlier globes, but the geographical
information on this last globe is much more detailed. The New World
appears in five distinct parts, the first of which is called "Terra
Corterealis," the second "Terra de Cuba," the third "Insulae Canibalorum
siue Antiglia," the fourth "Terra nova, America vel Brasilia sive
Papagelli Terra," and the fifth "Brasilia inferior." The globe is richly
decorated in colors, and its numerous descriptive legends, most of them
in Latin, give such geographical information as may be found in most of
the important maps of this early period.[193]
[Illustration: Fig. 44. Western Hemisphere of Johann Schöner's Globe,
1520.]
In 1523 Schöner issued a little tract of four pages which he called 'De
nuper sub Castiliae ac Portugaliae Regibus Serenissimis repertis Insulis
ac Regionibus, Joannis Schöner Charolipolitani epistola et Globus
Geographicus, seriem navigationum annotantibus. Clarissimo atque
disertissimo viro Dño Rymero de Streytpergk, ecclesiae Babenbergensis
Canonico dictae. Timiripae, Anno Incarnat. Dni. 1523.' 'An epistle of
John Schöner of Carlstadt concerning the islands and regions recently
discovered by the Most Serene Kings of Castile and of Portugal, and a
geographical globe for the use of marking the course of those
navigations. Dedicated to the most distinguished and eloquent Reymer von
Streytperg, canon of the Church of Bamberg. Timiripae (Kirch-ehrenbach).
In the year of the Lord's incarnation 1523.'[194] Though Schöner alone
gives us such information as we possess concerning this globe, it has
been the subject of much controversy, and if recovered it doubtless
would prove to be an object of much interest. There is, in the opinion
of the author, scarcely the slightest ground for accepting the
conclusions of Henry Stevens and Professor v. Wieser, that the globe
gores, now in the possession of the New York Public Library (Fig. 44a),
and described by them as the lost globe of Schöner of 1523, are of
Schönerian origin. The critical studies of Harrisse are sufficiently
convincing to set this question at rest.[195] Schöner concludes his
little tract in the following words: "Ego tam mirifice orbis
pervagationi nonnihil volens adiicere, ut quae lectu videantur
mirabilia, aspectu credantur prohabiliora, Globum hunc in orbis modum
effingere studui, exemplar haud fallibile aemulatus, quod Hispaniarum
solertia cuidam viro honore conspicuo transmisit. Nec ob id quem antea
glomeraveram abolitum iri volens, quipp[=e] qui es temporè, quantum phas
erat homini abdita mundi penetrare, abunde expressit, modo sese consona
admissione patientur, quod invenienda inventis non obstent. Accipe
igitur hunc a me formatum globum ea animi benignitate, qua eum laborem
ad tui nominis honorem lubens aggressus sum. Cognoscam profecto meas
lucubratiunculas tuae celsitudini nullatenus despectui fore. Vale."
"Being desirous of making some small addition to this wonderful survey
of the earth, so that what appears very extraordinary to the reader may
appear more likely, when thus illustrated, I have been at the pains to
construct this globe, having copied a very accurate one which an
ingenious Spaniard has sent to a person of distinction. I do not however
wish to set aside the globe I constructed some time since, as it fully
showed all that had, at that time, been discovered: so that the former,
as far as it goes, agrees with the latter. Please then to accept this
globe in the same friendly spirit in which I undertook to construct it
for your gratification. But I am sure you will not despise my humble
attempt. Farewell."[196] This statement assures us that he had
constructed a globe at the time of issuing his tract, and it gives us a
fairly definite idea of its New World configurations, and further, that
in the main it agreed with his earlier globes. It seems probable,
however, that in some manner he indicated an Asiatic connection of the
new lands, an idea which is so frequently expressed in the maps of the
next quarter of a century, especially in the globe maps, an idea not to
be finally set at rest until the discovery of Bering put an end to the
controversy.
[Illustration: Fig. 44a. Anonymous Globe Gores, ca. 1540.]
How Schöner, and others, came to the conclusion that "Parias" (North
America) is not "a large independent portion of the earth in that fourth
part of the world," but has an Asiatic connection, and how they set down
that conclusion in their maps will receive consideration in the
following chapter.
Though not a maker of globes, in so far as we have definite knowledge,
Albrecht Dürer turned his attention to the drafting of maps, two of
which have for us here a certain interest. In the year 1515 Johannes
Stabius designed a map of the Old World on a stereographic projection
(Fig. 45), one of the first of its kind, which Dürer is said to have
engraved. While the map itself is of little importance it is of interest
as an attempt to represent in perspective a spherical earth.[197]
[Illustration: Fig. 45. Stabius World Globe Map, 1515.]
Dürer likewise undertook the drafting and engraving of a celestial map
(Fig. 46), than which of this character there appears to be none earlier
known. It was not so drawn as to make possible its application to the
surface of a sphere, but its reshaping for that purpose could not have
been for him a difficult proposition. He, with others of this time, was
giving thought to the problem of globe-gore construction.
[Illustration: Fig. 46. Northern Celestial Hemisphere of Albrecht
Dürer.]
NOTES
[124] The illustrations given are typical, and to one
familiar with the works of the period on geographical and
astronomical subjects, others suggest themselves.
[125] For popular accounts of the Este family of Ferrara,
see Gardner, E. G. Princes and Poets of Ferrara. London,
1904; Cartwright, J. Isabella d'Este. London, 1903.
[126] Harrisse. Discovery. pp. 422-425; same author, Les
Corte-Real et leur voyages au Nouveau Monde. Paris, 1883,
with reproduction of the western half of the map, in colors;
Stevenson, E. L. Maps illustrating early discovery and
exploration in America. New Brunswick, 1906. No. 1 of this
series is a reproduction of the Cantino map in the size of
the original.
[127] Fischer, J. The Discoveries of the Norsemen in
America. London, 1903. pp. 112-118. Professor Fischer enjoys
the distinction of being the foremost living authority on
Ptolemy.
[128] D'Arco, C. Delle arti e degli artefici di Mantova.
Mantova, 1857. Vol. II, p. 53.
[129] Bertolotti, A. Artisti in relazione coi Gonzaga
Signori di Mantova. Modena, 1885. p. 143. (In: Estr. dagli
Atti e Memorie delle Deputazioni di storia patria per le
Provincie Modenesi e Parmensi. Série III, Vol. III, parte
1.)
[130] Harrisse. Discovery. p. 434.
[131] Denza, F. Globi celesti della Specola Vaticana. (In:
Publicazioni della Specola Vaticana. Torino, 1894. Vol. IV,
p. xvii.)
[132] Fiorini, op. cit., pp. 88-89.
[133] See the edition of Ptolemy. Geographia--MDVIII. Rome.
Chap. xii.
[134] Fiorini, op. cit., pp. 94-96, the citation being
made from Badia, Jodoco del. La bottega di Alessandro di
Francesco Rosselli merciaje e stampatore (1525). (In:
Miscellanea fiorentina di erudizione e storia. Luglio, 1894.
Vol. II, p. 14.)
[135] Zach, F. v. Monatliche Korrespondence. Gotha, 1806.
Vol. XIII, p. 157. Harrisse. Discovery. pp. 445-446.
[136] Fiorini, op. cit., p. 99.
[137] Fiorini, op. cit., p. 101.
[138] Fiorini, op. cit., p. 72.
[139] Fiorini, op. cit., p. 102. Of the further interest
taken by Cardinal Salviati in geography, see Stevenson, op.
cit., No. 7.
[140] Trithemius. Epistolae familiares. Haganoae, 1536. p.
294.
[141] This is part of the letter of August 12.
[142] D'Avezac, M. A. P. Martin Hylacomylus Walzemüller ses
ouvrages et ses collaborateurs. Paris, 1867; Gallois. Les
Géographes. Chap. iv. "L'école Alsacienne-Lorraine";
Schmidt, C. Histoire littéraire de l'Alsace a la fin du XV^e
et au commencement du XVI^e siècle. Paris, 1879.
[143] Schmidt, op. cit., Vol. II, p. 111; Humboldt, A. v.
Kritische Untersuchungen. Berlin, 1852. Vol. II, p. 363;
Gallois, L. Le Gymnase Vosgien. (In: Bulletin de la Société
de Géographie de l'Est. Paris, 1900. pp. 88 ff.); D'Avezac,
op. cit., p. 11.
[144] A canon of the cathedral of St. Dié. Lud gives us the
information that he was the translator of the Vespucci
narrative from the French into the Latin.
[145] Gravier, N. F. Histoire de Saint-Dié. Epinal, 1836. p.
202. The author refers to the character of Lud and to the
influence of the St. Dié press. Copies of Lud's most
important little tract may be found in the British Museum,
and in the Imperial Library of Vienna; it was printed in the
St. Dié in the year 1507.
[146] The full title of this significant volume reads:
'Cosmographiae Introductio cum quibusdam geometriae ac
astronomiae principiis ad eam rem necessariis, insuper
quatuor Americi Vespucci navigationes. Universalis
Cosmographie descriptio tam in solido [=q][z] plano eis etiam
insertis que Ptholomeo ignota a nuperis reperta sunt.'
'Introduction to Cosmography with certain necessary
principles of geometry and astronomy to which are added the
Four Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci a representation of the
entire world, both in the solid (globe?) and
projected on the plane, including also lands which were
unknown to Ptolemy, and have been recently discovered.' Two
editions of the work appeared in 1507, and others at later
dates. An excellent reproduction of Waldseemüller's book in
facsimile, with English translation, was published by the
United States Catholic Historical Society under the title,
'The Cosmographiae Introductio of Martin Waldseemüller in
Facsimile followed by the Four Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci
with their Translation into English.' Ed. by C. G.
Herbermann. New York, 1907.
[147] This is one of the best of the early printed editions
of Ptolemy.
[148] May it not have been the Canerio chart to which
allusion was made by Lud, or a chart of exactly that type?
See Stevenson, E. L. Marine World Chart of Nicolo de Canerio
Januensis (ca.) 1502. With Facsimile of the unique original,
measuring 115 x 225 cm. New York, 1908.
[149] Stevenson, E. L. Martin Waldseemüller and the early
Lusitano-Germanic Cartography of the New World. New York,
1904. (In: Bulletin of the American Geographical Society.
New York, 1908. pp. 193-215.)
[150] Schmidt, C. (In: Mémoires de la Société d'Archéologie
lorraine. Nancy, 1875. p. 227.)
[151] Fischer, J. and Wieser, F. R. v. The oldest map with
the name America of the year 1507 and the Carta Marina of
the year 1516 by M. Waldseemüller (Ilacomilus). Innsbruck,
1903. Text in German and English, the maps in facsimile. The
authors in their text have considered such matters as the
Wolfegg collective volume, a description of the two maps,
the sources of Waldseemüller, and the influence of the maps
on the subsequent cartography, especially of the New World.
[152] Printed on fol. "Aii."
[153] Printed on the back of folded leaf at the beginning of
"Caput IX."
[154] Gallois. Les géographes. p. 48; Fischer and v. Wieser,
op. cit., p. 14.
[155] The crude character of the map is in striking contrast
with the world map of 1507.
[156] This is an excellent reproduction of the gores, copy
of which was courteously sent the author by Prince
Liechtenstein.
[157] Printed in the lower corner of the chart on the left,
"Generalem igitur totius orbis typum, quem ante annos aucos
absolutum non sine grandi labore ex Ptolomei traditione ...
in lucem edideramus et in mille exemplaria exprimi
curavinius...."
[158] Harrisse. B. A. V. No. 62.
[159] Harrisse. Discovery. p. 465.
[160] Harrisse. B. A. V. No. 61.
[161] Harrisse. B. A. V. No. 32, Ad.
[162] Harrisse. Discovery. p. 466.
[163] De Costa, B. F. The Lenox Globe. (In: Magazine of
American History. New York, 1879. pp. 529-540.) De Costa had
the globe map redrawn and printed in plane projection. See
for reproduction, Winsor, Nordenskiöld, Encyclopaedia
Britannica. An excellent reproduction from a direct
photograph of the globe may be found in Stevenson, E. L.
Typical early maps of the New World. (In: Bulletin of the
American Geographical Society. New York, 1907. pp. 202-224.)
[164] Estreicher, T. Ein Erdglobus aus dem Anfange des XVI
Jh. in der Jagellonischen Bibliothek. (In: Bulletin
International de l'Académie des Sciences de Cracovie.
Cracovie, 1900. pp. 96-105.)
The construction of the clockwork to be found in this small
copper sphere in La Nature, 1892. No. 996, p. 75. The globe
is referred to by Stevenson, E. L., in Martin Waldseemüller
and the Lusitano-Germanic Cartography of the New World. (In:
Bulletin of the American Geographical Society. New York,
1904. pp. 193-215.)
[165] Waldseemüller, op. cit., Caput vii.
[166] Luksch, M. J. Zwei Denkmale alter Kartographie. Wien,
1886. (In: Mitteilung der k. k. Geog. Gesellschaft. Wien,
1886. pp. 364-373.); Varnhagen, F. A. Jo. Schöner e P.
Apianus. Wien, 1872. On p. 52 the opinion is expressed that
the globe was made in Brixen from the fact that this
relatively unimportant town is inscribed. Harrisse.
Discovery. pp. 491, 492; Nordenskiöld. Facsimile Atlas. p.
76.
[167] Marcel, G. Un globe manuscrit de l'école de
Schöner. Paris, 1889. (In: Bulletin de géographie historique
et descriptive. Paris, 1889. p. 173.); same author,
Reproduction de carte et de globes relatif à la découverte
de l'Amérique. Paris, 1894. pp. 11-14.
[168] Harrisse. Discovery. p. 490.
[169] Nordenskiöld. Facsimile Atlas. p. 76; reproduced on
pl. XXXVII; same author, Om en märklig globakarta frän
början af sextonde seklet. Stockholm, 1884. The latter has
been translated under the title, A remarkable globe map of
the sixteenth century, with facsimile, by E. A. Elfwing, and
published in Journal of the American Geographical Society.
New York, 1884.
[170] Here the name "America" is more clearly assigned to
the entire continent than in the Waldseemüller map.
[171] See below, p. 176.
[172] Major, R. H. Memoir on a mappemonde by Leonardo da
Vinci, being the earliest map hitherto known containing the
name America: now in the Royal Collection at Windsor.
London, 1865; Wieser. Magalhâes-Strasse. pl. III, a
reproduction of the gores showing the New World, joined in a
hemisphere; d'Adda, Marquis Girolamo. Leonardo da Vinci e la
Cosmografia. (In: La Perzeveranza. Milano, 1870.); Richter,
J. P. Literary Works of Da Vinci. London, 1883. Both d'Adda
and Richter doubt the Da Vinci origin of these gores.
[173] Harrisse, op, cit., p. 504.
[174] See above, p. 67.
[175] Nordenskiöld, op. cit., p. 76; reproduced on pl.
XXXVIII; Catalogue de livres appartenant à M. H. Tross.
Paris, 1881, item 4924, with a reproduction of the gores.
[176] Harrisse, op. cit., pp. 494-496.
[177] Marcel, G. Louis Boulengier d'Alby. Paris, 1890. (In:
Bulletin de géographie historique et descriptive. Paris,
1890.)
[178] This statement reads: "Habes candide lector tabellam
preinsculptam tibi latitudinem graduum regionium ... In
globo vero diei quantitatem et noctis ... sic comprehendere
potes omni de regione tam per globum quam per sexagenarium."
"You have, dear Reader, before you, a small plate on which
are inscribed the degrees of latitude of the countries ...
on the globe (you see) the duration of the day and night ...
thereby you will be able to ascertain (the position of)
every country by the globe as well as by the sexennium."
[179] Tessier, A. Di Cesare Vecellio e de' suoi dipinti e
disegni in una Collezione di libri dei secoli XV e XVI.
Rome, 1876. (In: Bollettino della Societe geografica
italiana. Rome, 1876. Série II, Vol. I, pp. 39-42.)
Tessier's discourse was delivered at the Venetian Atheneum,
1875. Jacoli, F., likewise refers to this globe in Gazzetta
di Venezia, January 15, 1876. It is not known just what
disposition has been made of the globes by Admiral Acton.
[180] Las Casas. Historia. Tomo IV, lib. III, cap. ci, p.
377; Herrera, A. Descriptione las Indias Ocidentales.
Madrid, 1730. Tomo II, lib. II, cap. xix, p. 52.
[181] The first voyage around the world by Magellan. Tr. by
Stanley of Alderley, Lord. London, 1874. (In: Hakluyt
Society Publications. London, 1874. Vol. 52, p. xliv.);
Pigafetta, Antonio. Magellan's Voyage around the world. The
original text of the Ambrosian MS., with English
translation, notes, bibliography, and index. Ed. by
Robertson, J. A. Cleveland, 1906.
[182] Documentos ineditos por la Historia de España. Madrid,
1847. Vol. I, p. 265.
[183] Harrisse, op. cit., p. 544.
[184] Doppelmayr. Nachrichten. pp. 45-50; Varnhagen, F. A.
de. Jo. Schöner e P. Apianus (Benewitz) influencia de um e
outro e de varios de seus contemporaneos na adopção do nome
America. Vienna, 1872; Stevens, H. Johann Schöner, professor
of Mathematics at Nuremberg; a reproduction of his globe of
1523 long lost; his dedicatory letter to Reymer von
Streytperck and the 'De Moluccis' of Maximilianus
Transylvanus, with a new translation and notes of the globe.
Ed. with an introduction and bibliography by Coote, C. H.
London, 1888. pp. xxxix-xliv contains a short biography of
Schöner; Algemeine Deutsche Biographie, "Schöner."
[185] Harrisse. B.A.V. No. 80. The full title with
bibliographical references are here given. In addition to
the mere title we read "Cum Globis cosmographicis: sub
mulcta quinquaginta florenorum Rhen. et amissione omnium
exemplarium." "With a cosmographical globe: under a fine of
five hundred Rhenish florins and forfeiting all copies."
[186] Wieser. Magalhâes-Strasse. See especially chap. iii,
"Der Globus Schöners vom J. 1515," and reproduction, pl. II;
Reproduction in Jomard, Nos. 15-16.
[187] Harrisse. B.A.V. p. xlix, note 156; also Nos. 99, 100.
[188] Stevenson. Martin Waldseemüller and the early
Lusitano-Germanic Cartography.
[189] Schöner. Luculentissima. fol. 60.
[190] Schöner. Luculentissima. verso of fol. 60.
[191] Wieser, op. cit.; Ghillany. Geschichte des Seefahrers
Ritter Martin Behaim. pp. 8-12. Ghillany reproduces the
western hemisphere of the globe in the original colors;
Kohl, J. G. History of the Discovery of Maine. (In:
Documentary history of the State of Maine. Portland, 1869.)
Vol. I, pp. 158-163. This contains a much reduced
reproduction of Ghillany's facsimile of the western
hemisphere; Nordenskiöld, op. cit., p. 80; Santarem. Atlas.
pl. 52 (H. S. A. copy); Lelewel. Géographie du moyen âge.
pl. 46.
[192] The inscription reads as given by Ghillany.
[193] Practically all of the works cited relating to Schöner
treat more or less fully of the geographical features of
Schöner's globes. Wieser's work is particularly valuable.
[194] Stevens, op. cit., gives this letter in facsimile with
translation; Wieser, op. cit., pp. 118-122, reprints the
Latin of this letter.
[195] Harrisse, op. cit., pp. 519-528.
[196] Wieser, op. cit., p. 121.
[197] Oberhummer, E. Leonardo da Vinci and the art of the
renaissance in its relation to geography. (In: The
Geographical Journal. London, 1909. See pp. 561-569 on
Albrecht Dürer.)
[Illustration: Honter Globe. _From his Rudimenta cosmographica_]
Chapter VII
Globes of the Second Quarter of the Sixteenth Century
Globes indicating (a) an Asiatic connection of the New
World, (b) globes expressing a doubt of such Old World
connection, (c) globes showing an independent position of
the New World.--Franciscus Monachus.--Hakluyt's
reference.--The Gilt globe.--Parmentier.--Francesco
Libri.--Nancy globe.--Globes of Gemma Frisius.--Robertus
de Bailly.--Schöner globe of
1533.--Scheipp.--Furtembach.--Paris Wooden globe.--Vopel
globes.--Santa Cruz.--Hartmann gores.--Important globe of
Ulpius.--Cardinal Bembo's globes.--Mercator's epoch-making
activity.--Fracastro.--Ramusio's references to
globes.--Gianelli.--Florence celestial globe.
As in the first quarter of the sixteenth century, so in the second we
find engraved brass and copper globes, globes with manuscript maps, and
those with printed or engraved gore maps. Since the latter in this
period have especially found favor, attention is more and more directed
toward the shaping of the segments or gores with that mathematical
nicety which, as previously stated, would admit of a perfect or almost
perfect adjustment when they were applied to the surface of a prepared
ball.
To the independent position of the New World as represented on the globe
maps prior to 1525 attention has been called in the preceding chapter,
but the idea of such independence, it may here be noted, is one contrary
to that very generally though erroneously entertained by historians who
have written of the period, an error doubtless in large measure due to
a failure on their part to give proper heed to the record of the maps as
expressing the geographical notions commonly accepted. Harrisse has well
stated the case in referring to the geographical opinions of the
earliest explorers, observing that the moment search began for a
waterway leading from Oceanus Occidentalis to Oceanus Orientalis, that
moment opinion began to become conviction that a new continental region
had been found, that a New World had been discovered,[198] and
practically all of the early explorers had hope of finding such a
waterway. It is very true that more than two hundred years passed from
Columbus' day before there was positive proof of an independence of the
newly found land, but the earliest map makers outlined it as if
believing in its independence of an Old World or Asiatic
connection.[199] The so-called Bartholomew Columbus sketch maps,[200]
probably drawn in the first decade of the sixteenth century (Fig. 47),
alone can be cited, among the maps of any particular importance in the
first quarter of this century, as distinctly indicating a belief in an
Asiatic connection. Attention was likewise called in the preceding
chapter to the fact that toward the close of the century's first quarter
the idea that a veritably independent new continent had been found was
beginning to be doubted.[201] This doubt seemed to follow close upon the
publication of the report of Magellan's expedition.[202] It indeed
appears to be generally accepted that to the report of that remarkable
circumnavigation, to the letters of Cortes respecting his Mexican
expedition,[203] and to the failure of his and of other Spanish attempts
to find a strait north of the equator through which one might pass from
Oceanus Occidentalis to Oceanus Orientalis,[204] the changed conception
of the geography of the New World was due.
[Illustration: Fig. 47 Bartholomew Columbus Sketch Map, 1506.]
This changed conception seems to have found first expression, on a map,
in a little volume prepared by Franciscus Monachus, a friar of Mechlin,
about 1525. The title of this volume reads in part,[205] 'De orbis situ
ac descriptione. ad Reuerendiss. D. archiepiscopum Panormitanum,
Francisci, Monachi ordinis Franciscani, epistola sane quã luculenta ...'
'A very excellent letter from Franciscus, a monk of the Franciscan
Order, to the Most Reverend Archbishop of Palermo, touching the site and
description of the world,' with a colophon reading "Excudebat Martinus
Caesar, expensis honesti viri Rolandi Bollaert ..." "Martinus Caesar
prepared this at the expense of the upright man Roland Bollert." Its two
small woodcut maps representing the world in hemispheres, respectively
the Old and the New World (Fig. 48), are of striking historical
interest, while the text contains many references which are of
importance for the light they cast upon the geographical opinions of the
time respecting the New World. Here, as noted, the New World is first
represented on a map as having distinctly an Asiatic connection, the
southern continent (South America) being separated from the northern
only by that narrow strait which we find so prominently represented on
the Maiollo map of 1527, and there called "stretto dubitoso."[206] While
these hemispheres cannot themselves be referred to as a globe, they may
serve to give us a general idea of the geographical representations on
the globe, which, as appears probable, was at that time constructed by
the author of the text. To the Ecclesiastical Prince, to whom Franciscus
dedicated his little volume, information was sent concerning his globe
on which he had drawn by hand a map of the world as he said, the reply
to his letter containing the following statement, "Orbis globum, in quo
terrae ac maria luculenter depicta sunt, una cum epistola accepimus."
"We accept the globe of the world on which the land and the seas are
elegantly depicted, together with the epistle."[207] Being a gift it
would seem reasonable to conclude that the globe was not duplicated and
offered for sale and that the example referred to was therefore probably
unique. The text of the 'De orbis situ ...,' as it appears, was printed
because it was thought there was much contained therein that was new and
not in harmony with geographical ideas hitherto expressed. The first
edition was undated, nor was the second dated, but it agreed in
practically all particulars with the first excepting a slight
alteration in the title. A third edition was issued in the year 1565,
and is still known in many copies, of which Gallois gives an excellent
reprint in his biography of Orontius Finius.[208] It is in the first and
second editions that the hemispheres appear; they are wanting in the
third, but as a substitute therefor a small globe resting on a base
appears on the verso of the title-page, which in its general features
may be a representation of Franciscus' globe.
[Illustration: Fig. 48. Hemispheres of Franciscus Monachus, 1526.]
Hakluyt, in his 'Discourse on Western Planting,' alludes to "an olde
excellent globe in the Queenes privie gallory at Westminster which also
seemeth to be of Verarsanus makinge, havinge the coste described in
Italian, which laieth oute the very selfe same streite necke of lande in
latitude of 40. degrees, with the sea joynninge harde on bothe sides, as
it dothe on Panama and Nombre di Dios; which would be a matter of
singule importannce, yf it shoulde be true, as it is not unlikely."[209]
To this particular globe we do not seem to be able to find any other
allusion.
In the geographical department of the Bibliothèque Nationale there may
be found an exceedingly well-executed globe, neither signed nor dated,
but which appears to have been constructed about the year 1528.[210] It
is an unmounted gilded copper sphere (Fig. 49), having a diameter of
about 23 cm. Its title reads "Nova et integra universi orbs descriptio,"
"A new and complete description of the entire world," which, with all
legends and local names, is engraved in small capitals. Based upon the
description we possess of the Schöner globe of 1523, and upon the close
resemblance of its coast outlines to those of the Weimar globe of 1533,
there is reason for assigning it to the Schönerian school. It, however,
is to be noted that the nomenclature of the northeast coast of North
America is very different from that which appears on the last-mentioned
globe, and that it more nearly resembles in that region the simple
cordiform map of Orontius Finius of the year 1536.[211] The latest
geographical information which it records seems to relate to the
expedition of Verrazano. In the region corresponding to the present New
England, we find the legend "TERRA FRANCESCA NUPER LUSTRATA." The Gulf
of Mexico is called "SINUS S. MICHAELIS," and the Caribbean Sea, "MARE
HERBIDIUM." In South America are the conspicuous legends "AMERICA
INVENTA 1497," "BRAZILIO REGIO," and "TERRA NOVA." The great Antarctic
land bears the inscription "REGIO PATALIS." The Amazon appears as a
river of considerable length, with numerous tributaries. The course of
Magellan's voyage, so frequently laid down on the maps of the period,
here finds record in the threadlike line which encircles the globe. As
in the hemispheres of Franciscus, so here, America is laid down as a
part of the Asiatic continent. The workmanship of the globe is equal to
the best that one could find in the Italy, France or Germany of that
day, while the few German words among the numerous Latin names, as
"Baden," "Braunschweig," and "Wien," give some support for the claim
that it is of German origin. A Spanish origin, as has sometimes been
claimed for it, can hardly be accepted.
[Illustration: Fig. 49. Gilt Globe, ca. 1528.]
Parmentier, a native of the famous seaport Dieppe, had in his day, as a
maker of charts, a very substantial reputation. Whether one should
conclude from references to him as a cartographer that he busied himself
with the construction of globes cannot be definitely determined, as
these references indicate that his maps were merely constructed on a
projection which enabled him in some measure to represent the curved
surface of the earth. Schefer, in his work 'Le discours de la navigation
de Jean et Raoul Permentier,' says, "Permentier estoit bon cosmographe
et géographe, et par lui ont esté composez plusieurs mappes monde en
globe et en plat et plusieurs cartes marines, sur les quelles plusieurs
ont navigué seurement." "Parmentier was a good cosmographer and
geographer, and many maps of the world both in the form of globes and as
plane maps were made by him, also numerous marine charts by means of
which many sailed the seas with safety."[212]
Vasari gives us information concerning one Francesco Libri, member of a
famous Veronese artist family, who won distinction as a globe maker in
the early sixteenth century, and who apparently was most active in this
field of endeavor about the year 1530. Although all trace of the globes
he is said to have constructed is lost, Vasari's reference is worthy
citation.
"Among other things," says that interesting, if not always accurate,
Italian biographer, "he constructed a large globe of wood, being four
feet in diameter; this he then covered externally with a strong glue, so
that there should be no danger of crack or other injury. Now the globe
or ball thus constructed was to serve as a terrestrial globe. Wherefore
when it had been carefully divided and exactly measured under the
direction and in the presence of Fracastro and Baroldi, both well versed
in physics and distinguished as cosmographers and astrologers, it was
afterward to be painted by Francesco for a Venetian gentleman, Messer
Andrea Navagero, a most learned orator and poet, who intended to make a
present of the same to King Francis of France, to whom he was about to
be sent as ambassador from the Republic. But scarcely had Navagero
arrived in France and entered on his office, when he died. The work
consequently remained unfinished, which was much to be regretted since,
executed by Francesco, under the guidance and with the advice and
assistance of two men so distinguished as were Fracastro and Baroldi, it
would doubtless have turned out a very remarkable production. It
remained unfinished, however, as I have said, and what is worse, even
that which had been done received considerable injury, I know not of
what kind, in the absence of Francesco; yet spoiled as it was, the globe
was purchased by Messer Bartolommeo Lonichi who has never been prevailed
upon to give it up, although he has been frequently much entreated to
do so, and offered large sums of money for it."
"Francesco had made two smaller globes before commencing the large one;
and of these one is now in the possession of Mazzanti, Archdeacon of the
cathedral of Verona; the other belonging to the Count Raimondo della
Torre, and is now the property of his son, the Count Giovanni Battista,
by whom it is very greatly valued, seeing that this also was constructed
with the assistance and after measurements of Fracastro, who was a very
intimate friend of Count Raimondo."[213]
As before noted, the exact date when Francesco constructed his globes is
unknown. Vasari, however, informs us, as noted above, that the large one
was constructed for Andrea Navagero, who wished to present it to the
King of France, and that very shortly after his arrival in France on his
special mission his death occurred, which we know to have been the
eighth of May, 1529. It must therefore have been in that year that
Francesco completed the construction of his globe. It would be
interesting to know the geographical configuration of the New World as
laid down by Fracastro and Francesco on this large globe, remembering
that it was not long after the mission of Navagero to King Francis that
the first Cartier expedition sailed for the western continent. We cannot
be certain, as stated, of its geographical data, but it seems probable
that it followed the Verrazanian type as represented, for example, in
the Maiollo map of 1527, or in the Verrazano map of 1529.
The Lorraine Museum of Nancy possesses a fine globe, neither signed nor
dated, but which usually is referred to as the Nancy globe (Figs. 50,
50a), and is thought to have been constructed about the year 1530.[214]
It is a silver ball 16 cm. in diameter, divided on the line of the
equator into hemispheres, and is supported on a small statue of Atlas.
The equator, the tropics, the polar circles, the zodiac, and one
meridian circle passing through the western part of Asia in the Old
World and through the peninsula of Florida in the New World, are
represented. It is an object of interest not only for its scientific
value in giving us a geographical record of the period, but it is also
of interest for its fine workmanship, having its land areas gilded and
its seas blue enameled, in which sea monsters and ships of artistic
design appear. We have the record that in the year 1662, Charles IV,
Duke of Lorraine, presented it to the church of Nôtre Dame de Sion in
his residence city, and that by this church it was long used as a
pyx.[215] There is a striking resemblance of its land configurations,
and of its geographical nomenclature to that of the Gilt globe, of the
Wooden globe, and of the World map of Orontius Finaeus of 1531. The New
World is represented as a part of the Asiatic continent, and the central
section of that region, to which we may refer as North America, is
designated "Asia Orientalis" and "Asia Major." To the east of these
names are numerous regional names, conspicuous among which are "Terra
Francesca," "Hispania Major," and "Terra Florida." The Gulf of Mexico
appears as "Mare Cathayum." Mexico bears the name "Hispania Nova," while
the sea to the west is named "Mare Indicum Australe." The South American
continent is called "America Nova," and the names are very numerous
which have been given to the various sections, among which we find
"Terra Firma," "Papagelli," "Terra Canibale," "Parias," and "Peru
Provincia." The large austral land bears the name "Brasielie Regio,"
which name is placed southeast of Africa, and the name "Patalis Regio"
appears southwest of South America.
[Illustration: Fig. 50. Nancy Globe, ca. 1530.]
[Illustration: Fig. 50a. Globe of Jacob Stamfer, 1539.]
[Illustration: Fig. 50b. Nancy Globe in Hemispheres.]
Gemma Frisius (1508-1555), a native of Docum (Fig. 51), and for a number
of years professor of medicine and mathematics in the University of
Louvain,[216] issued a little book, in the year 1530, bearing the title
'De principiis Astronomiae et Cosmographiae, deque usu globi, ab eodem
editi, item de orbis divisione et insulis, rebusque nuper inventis ...
Antverp, 1530.'[217] It seems probable that this was issued to serve
as explanatory text for a globe or globes he had constructed or was
preparing to construct. In it we have one of the earliest technical yet
practical explanations of the parts and uses of the globe, and a
somewhat detailed statement how such instruments may be serviceably
employed in cosmographical studies. On the title-page there appears the
representation of a globe resting on a base having three feet, which has
been thought to be a representation of his completed work.[218] We are
told in his 'Epistola salutatoria,' at least in an implied manner, that
there were to be numerous copies of the globes, seeing that they were
intended for the trade, and Roscelli's statement would lead us to
believe that they had found their way into Italy. All copies, however,
appear to have been lost until a few years since, when both a
terrestrial and a celestial globe of Frisius' making was found in the
Gymnasium Francisceum of Zerbst, to which discovery a very considerable
interest and importance attaches. In a paper read before the
International Congress of Americanists in 1904, Dr. W. Walter Ruge, all
too briefly, describes them, from which paper the following information
is taken.[219]
[Illustration: Fig. 51. Portrait of Gemma Frisius.]
The terrestrial globe, he notes, is not well preserved, being in certain
parts so injured as to render the inscriptions illegible; but in this
fact he, however, finds a certain compensation, as these injuries are of
such character as to disclose the manner of construction. The globe
ball, he finds, consists of two hemispheres of papier-mâché 3 mm. in
thickness over which is a layer of plaster 1½ mm. in thickness. On
the smooth surface thus furnished the twelve gores of which the map is
composed had been pasted, these gores extending from pole to pole.[220]
Though undated, the following inscription gives information concerning
the map maker and the engravers. "Gemma Frisius Medicus ac Mathematicus
ex varijs descripsit geographicorum observationibus, atque in hanc
formam redegit; Gerardus Mercator Rupelmundanus coelavit cum Caspare a
Myrica, cui et sumptibus permaximis et laboribus nequaquam minoribus
opus constat." "Gemma Frisius, physician and mathematician, made (this
globe) from the various observations of geographers, and fashioned it in
this form. Gerhard Mercator of Rupelmunde with Caspar Miracus engraved
(it) and expended on the work a large sum and no little labor."
Frisius appears in this legend as the maker of the map, with Mercator
and Myrica as the engravers. The date of construction is not given, but
it clearly does not belong to the issue of 1530 referred to above. We
read, for example, along the west coast of South America such names as
"Tumbes," "tangara siue s. michaelis," and "Turicarami fluvius," and
find that this west coast is sketched as far as latitude 5 degrees
south. S. Michaelis was founded in 1532, and information concerning
Pizarro's discoveries probably did not reach Europe until 1534. Europe
has still many of the Ptolemaic features, as has also the continent of
Asia. North America, which is rather better drawn than on any of the
earlier maps, has the legend "Hispania Maior a Nuño Gusmaño devicta anno
1530." The west coast becomes a very indefinite line at latitude 25
degrees north, at which point we read "Matonchel siue petra portus." It
then sweeps northeastward in a flattened curve to "Baccalearum Regio"
with its "Prom[=o]tori[=u] agricule seu cabo del labrador." From the
land around the north pole, which is connected with Asia, the continent
is separated by a narrow strait which is referred to as "Fretum arcticum
siue trium fratrum, par quod lusitani in orientem et ad Indios et
Moluccas nauigare conati sunt." "The Arctic strait or the strait of the
three brothers through which the Portuguese attempted to sail to the
East and to the Indies and the Moluccas." No general name is given to
South America, but we find such regional names as "Nw Peru Provincia"
and east of this "Bresilia." In the interior are such legends and local
names as "Caxamalca fuit regis Atabaliape," "Cuzco," "Cincha," "Collao."
The nomenclature shows decided Spanish influence, as we find "la
laguna poblada," "R. de los esclavos," "R. d. los furmos," "Cabo corto."