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Description found in Archives

Title

[vniversali figura] [cartographic material] 

Arrangement structure

Show Arrangement Structure

Item (linked) part of

World maps [cartographic material] (R11981-1-8-E)

Date(s)

1511]

Place of creation

Italy

Extent

1 map : ill., woodcut, black and red ; 42 x 57 cm.

Scope and content

This untitled world map, from the 1511 edition of Ptolemy's "Geograhia", is an extremely early example of 16th century Venetian cartography. One of the first maps to show the newly discovered Americas, it presents a fascinating view of the post-Columbian world. South America, of which only the western coast is shown, is named "Terra Sanctae Crucis" and the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola appear overly large. Further north is the island "terra laboratorus" and a region named "regalis domus", resulting from the Portuguese explorations of the Corte Real brothers in 1501. On the opposite side of the map the island of "Zampagv" (Japan), appears for only the second time on a printed map. The first appearance being on the Contarini/Rosselli map of 1506 of which there is only one known copy. The land masses are vigorously engraved with mountain ranges, rivers and placenames, and the map is surrounded by twelve decorative windheads and signs of the zodiac (the ram, the scales and the crab). It is the first map produced using two-color woodblock printing, with the placenames printed in red ink by means of type set into the woodblock and applied with a second strike of the plate. The distinctive cordiform (heart-shaped) projection was used for the first time on this map.

Conditions of access

Cartographic material
90: Open
Original can be viewed in the presence o
f an early cartographic archivist.
Cartographic material
Microfiche NMC27655
90: Open
Item no. (creator)
Alexander E. MacDonald Canadiana Collection Item #2
Cartographic material
90: Open
Volume
2 Item no. assigned by LAC 2
90: Open
Archival reference no.
R11981-445-0-E
Other accession no.
80101/245 CA
Local class no.
H3/10000/[1511]

Terms of use

Credit Library and Archives Canada.
Copyright expired.

Creator / Provenance

Silvano, Bernardo.

Biography / Administrative history

Born in Eboli, southern Italy, Silvano was a draughtsman and editor who is believed to have worked in Naples and Venice. He completed a manuscript edition of Ptolemy's Geographia, c 1490. He is known for his world map on cordiform (heart-shpaed) projection which appeared in 1511.

Additional information

Woodcut engraving.

Pictorial relief.

Custodial history
Part of the Alexander E. MacDonald Canadiana Collection purchased by the Public Archives of Canada in 1981.

Related materials
For other copy see Mikan 4153641 (NMC 15729)

Cartographic math data
Scale indeterminate ; cordiform projection

Citation / reference note
Shirley, Entry 32
Layng, Entry 29
Nordinskiold, Entry 204

Availability of other formats note
The microfiche version is NMC 27655.

Exhibitions note
This map was part of an exhibition held at The Royal Ontario Museum, April 1958 entitled "Up North: The Discovery and Mapping of the Canadian Arctic, 1511-1944" showcasing MacDonald's Collection
This map was part of an exhibition held at The Royal Ontario Museum, March 1954 entitled "The Discovery & Mapping of the Great Lakes 'Sweet Water' 1522-1703 showcasing MacDonald's Collection.

Varying form of title

[Universali figura] 

Subject heading

World - Maps - Early works to 1600 .

Source

Private

Other system control no.

CARTO 35226

MIKAN no.

3983586