Johann Schoner's globe of 1515

About this book

"This is a transcription, translation, and study of the toponyms and legends on Johann Schöner's globe of 1515, one of the earliest surviving globes produced following the discovery of America. This important globe has never been the subject of a detailed study. Chet Van Duzer investigates Schöner's sources and discusses the similarities and differences between Schöner's globe and contemporary maps and globes, particularly Martin Waldseemüller's world map of 1507. One of Schöner's iconographical sources for the sea monsters on his globe was the Hortus sanitatis, an anonymous illustrated encyclopedia first published in 1491. The differences between the two surviving exemplars of the globe are also examined; these differences are surprising, as the globe is printed. Van Duzer demonstrates that the Weimar exemplar of the globe was heavily restored at some point in its history, and thus is a less reliable witness of Schöner's cartography. This book is an extremely useful tool for anyone investigating the geography and cartography of the early sixteenth century."--Publisher's description.