Map Makers' World

About this book

The Mapmakers' World is beautifully illustrated, presenting 300 maps from the world's finest museums, libraries and private collections. The book gives us a perspective on the development of European world maps from the early Middle Ages up until the modern period, i.e. from the 8th century until the end of the 18th century. This work showcases all of the early European world map traditions: medieval world maps (T-O maps, mappa mundis, Beatus maps, etc.), Ptolemy's maps, seafarers' maps (portolan charts, planispheres and nautical charts), printed world maps and globes from the pre-Renaissance through to the Baroque era. Furthermore, it takes its readers through the history of European global discovery and cartographic research, and also brings to life the exciting times when many of these historical maps were first discovered in the 19th century, after centuries of oblivion. The volume includes dedicated features further exploring 100 of the most important cartographic masterpieces from the period. The book is written as a narrative, rather than a catalogue or an encyclopedia, and it takes the reader on the ultimate voyage of discovery.