Nova et integra orbis descriptio. 1603

NICOLAI, Willem (fl.1573-1613). Nova et integra orbis descriptio. Lyon: 1603.

An extremely rare set of gores for a 6½-inch diameter globe, one of only three known examples extant; a cartographic puzzle. These gores are somewhat mysterious, being archaic in style, with a world outline of that known 50 years prior to publication, based on the geography of globes produced by Demongenet, c.1560, and Vopel, c.1536. Excepting three lines of Latin text in the Antarctic continent, and a slightly different placing of gore numbers, Nicolai's engraving is virtually identical to a set of undated gores by Joannes Oterschaden (see Shirley World 237), but it is not known how they are related. Little is known about Willem Nicolai; he appears to have been a publisher and engraver, with Tooley's Dictionary of Mapmakers (rev. ed.) stating: 'thought to have worked in Lyons and Avignon, also possibly Leiden.' Perhaps the confusion about Lyon and Leiden comes from these gores, for although the imprint clearly states 'Lugduni' (modern-day Lyon in France), Shirley gives Leiden. This might be because he is described as 'Gulielmus Nicolai Belga' in the imprint (although it would make sense to state nationality if the cartographer was working outside his country of origin); and secondly, when Shirley was compiling Mapping the World, the only other set of these gores then known was in the University of Leiden. Since publication, another set of Nicolai gores mounted as a globe sold at auction (Sotheby's Important Furniture, Silver And Ceramics, 06 July 2010, lot 86). Shirley World 241.

A set of 12 engraved gores, on two sheets (each approx. 260 x 267mm), 6 gores to each sheet numbered 1-12, gores 1-2 and 7-9 numbered to right-hand side of gore, nos 3-6 and 10-12 numbered to left-hand side of gore, the gores forming a terrestrial globe with a diameter of 16.4cm (6½ in.), title cartouche in gore 11, and place, name and date in a cartouche on gore 12, Antarctic continent labelled 'Terra nondum ple- ne cognita inventa Ao. 1499' in gore 5.

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