Rare and impressive c.16th hand coloured wood cut map of the world, with the western Australian coast charted in approximately its correct position and named India Meridionalis (India south).
This map has given rise to the theory that Portuguese knowledge of Australia existed twenty five years prior to the Dutch discovery and landing by Janz in 1606, on the western coast of Cape York. Shirley’s entry refers to an earlier edition of this map, with the noticeable difference being ‘Mare Mediterraneum’ written on Africa. An early representation of America is shown at lower left, while the other continents are named. A shapeless and undefined Taprobana, Ptolemy’s Sri Lanka, is positioned incorrectly between India and Australia. On the Asian landmass the Caspian Sea is greatly enlarged while the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea are joined.
From Bunting, Itierarium Sacrae Scripture (Journeys from the Scriptures). Magdeburg 1581
References:
Clancy, R. The Mapping of Terra Australia. Sydney 1995 : p.67, ill. Map 5.8,.
Shirley, R. The Mapping of the World Early Printed World Maps 1472-1700. London 1987: 143, ill.pl. 120.
National Library Australia, Mapping Our World. Canberra 2013 : p.87, ill. p.86.
Tooley, R.V. The Mapping of Australia. London 1979 : Not in Tooley.
Richardson, W. Was Australia Charted Before 1606? Canberra 2008 : pp. 18-20, ill. fig. 6.
Norwich, O. Norwich’s Maps of Africa. Vermont 1997 : : Map 18.
Richards, M. & O’Connor, M. Changing Coastlines Putting Australia on the World Map 1493-1993. Canberra 1993 : Map 11.
Collections:
National Library Canberra: Bib ID: 1923825
David Rumsey: Pub List No: 15301.000
