Charta Cosmographica, cum ventorum propria natura et operatione. Antwerp, 1553.

Petrus Apianus (1531-1589) and Reiner Gemma Frisius (1508-1555)
Charta Cosmographica, cum ventorum propria natura et operatione. Antwerp, 1553.
Apianus' truncated cordiform world map, one of the earliest obtainable maps not based on the Ptolemy. The cartography has its origins in a now lost larger map by Frisius, and the continents are based on the gores for Mercator's globe of 1541. It first appeared in the 1544 edition of Apian's Cosmographia, and shows North and South America complete, with South America resembling the continent, but the northern part distorted as a narrow strip of land labeled 'Baccalearum' (Land of Cod) – a reference to the cod-fishing industry of the north-east coast. A new block was then cut for this 1553 edition with text in Latin and Dutch. The word 'Europe' is now horizontal, and the words 'Angl' and 'Scot' appear next to the island of Britain. Shirley World 82 and 96.

Woodcut world map, truncated cordiform projection, within woodcut border of clouds, windheads, two larger figures at upper margin, one with the Holy Roman Emperor's double eagle on his breastplate, verso blank, image 188 x 275mm (222 x 301mm sheet).

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