World chart, from the eastern coasts to India. Parchment, f. 1 (full skin); 1020 x 1520 (1010 x 1515 including left extension) mm. Red border at top edged by black band that continues around left side, no borders on bottom or right. Written in Naples and dated 7 May 1516 by Vesconte Maggiolo. Black and red ink for nomenclature in a minuscule hand with area names in gothic script. American coast, Scotland, and England outlined in color (very faded), other land masses in black ink only; 10 compass roses with usual 32 rhumb line network in black, red and green ink for the principal directions; latitude scale numbered from 40° S to 67° N, no longitude; 4 unnumbered scales of distance; decorated with imaginary animals, kings in pavillions, vignettes of cities, banners, 3 wind-heads, and a large medallion of the Virgin and Child.
Nautical charts--Early works to 1800 World maps--Early works to 1800 Manuscripts Italy 16th century. (aat) Maps Italy 16th century. (aat) Portolanos Italy 16th century. (aat)
Time Period
1516
Place
World
Source
Maps, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Inscribed near top: "Vesconte de Maiollo ianuensis conposuy hanc cartan in Neapoly anno 1516 die vij Maiy". Coat of arms of first owner (?): azure, 3 bands sinister argent (?), on a chief argent (?) oak leaves in saltire. Pencilled number on the back "11627." Exhibited by Paul Gottschalk in 1914 (see Boston Evening Transcript, 1 April 1914, p. 25). Sold by Otto Lange, Cat. 43 (Florence 1922) n. 28 to Henry E. Huntington in 1925.
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