14 votes

A newly digitized map from 1587 offers a rare glimpse at the way Europeans conceived of the Americas before British colonization

2 comments

  1. Devin
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    That is a very detailed map considering the time period. I always find it fascinating how coveted a decent map was during this period. It was the super secret trade secret of its day. I'm sure we...

    That is a very detailed map considering the time period.

    I always find it fascinating how coveted a decent map was during this period. It was the super secret trade secret of its day. I'm sure we have lost countless maps over time since they would have all been top secret to the people that commissioned them. A very expensive and not guaranteed investment.

    But a lucrative one if it worked out. Just look at Portugal. A renaissance super power in its own right. Thank's to its heavy investment in exploring Terra Incognito.

    Not to mention Spain collapsing the gold market with it's superior navigation and crazy luck in taking over of parts of South America.

    6 votes
  2. cfabbro
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    A few months ago I saw a really interesting video by Medieval History TV on the Mappa Mundi (the world's largest medieval map, thought to be from the 1300s), that sent me down a bit of rabbit hole...

    A few months ago I saw a really interesting video by Medieval History TV on the Mappa Mundi (the world's largest medieval map, thought to be from the 1300s), that sent me down a bit of rabbit hole looking at other old maps and atlases... and one of the coolest things I found in the process was a site where you can actually buy replicas of old manuscripts, maps and atlases. It doesn't seem to have this particular map from 1587, but it does have the Mappa Mundi and many, many more. I am really, really tempted to buy one but they all appear to be rather expensive. :(

    p.s. The site for the David Rumsey Map Collection (where this 1587 map is from) appears to have tons of other old maps and atlases viewable in incredibly high res as well, which is neat.

    3 votes