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Posted by: Cynthia Smith
The Borgia world map is described in this post. The map was made during the 15th century by an unknown cartographer. In 1794, the map was purchased at an antique store in Portugal by Cardinal Stefano Borgia.
Posted in: 15th century cartography, 18th century cartography, European History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
This post features a qibla compass that was recently acquired for the collections of the Geography and Map Division. The qibla compass was made in Turkey during the Ottoman Empire.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, Middle East and North African History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
Topographical maps of Venus are featured in this post. The transit of Venus is also discussed.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, Exploration
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
This post includes images of various types of wine maps that were published during the 19th and early 20th centuries. A brief history of viticulture is also provided.
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
A picture of a skull and crossbones marks the location of a special collection in the Geography and Map Division. The collection consists of wreck charts published by U.S. federal government agencies, treasure maps made by famous cartographers during the 18th and 19th centuries, and treasure maps published by commercial companies during the mid -20th …
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, 20th century cartography, Exploration
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
The word utopia is used to describe a perfect place. The British statesman and writer Sir Thomas More coined the word from the ancient Greek words ou-topos meaning “no place” and eu-topos meaning a “good place.” In this post I am featuring maps of the mythical land named Utopia. In 1516 Thomas More wrote a …
Posted in: 16th century cartography, 18th century cartography, Imaginary maps
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
Below is an image of an embroidered map from the collections of the Geography and Map Division. The name of the embroiderer, Sophia Mason, is stitched at the bottom of the map; the year 1802 is printed beneath her name. From the 18th to the early 19th century, American and British school girls received their …
Posted in: 18th century cartography, 19th century cartography, Women's History
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
The French cartographer and engraver, Nicolas de Fer, was a master at creating maps that were works of art. The maps that he published were printed during the Baroque period when the decorative arts were characterized by ornate detail. De Fer’s detailed maps and atlases were valued more for their decorative content than their geographical …
Posted in: 17th century cartography, 18th century cartography, Biography
Posted by: Cynthia Smith
Over the years I have noticed the placement of Saint Brendan’s Island on historical maps. I became curious about the mythical island and the story behind it. Saint Brendan’s Island was placed in different locations on maps of the Atlantic Ocean. The island was often placed west of England and Ireland. It was also placed …
Posted in: 16th century cartography, 17th century cartography, 18th century cartography, Exploration