Largest Early World Map – Monte’s 10 Ft. Planisphere of 1587 (2017)

An extraordinary 60 sheet manuscript world map made in 1587 by Urbano Monte has been added to the David Rumsey Map Collection at Stanford University. Monte’s map reminds us of why historical maps are so important as primary resources: the north polar azimuthal projection of his planisphere uses the advanced scientific ideas of his time; the artistry in drawing and decorating the map embodies design at the highest level; and the view of the world then gives us a deep historical resource with the listing of places, the shape of spaces, and the commentary interwoven into the map. This was never done, but now we can do it virtually – Monte’s 60 sheet world map digitally assembled into a 10 foot planisphere:

Monte’s depiction of Japan is advanced for the time, probably drawing on information provided to him by the Japanese Embassy to Milan and Italy in 1585.

Source: www.davidrumsey.com