Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume Ii Part 2

A pair may be found in the Osservatorio Astronomico of Bologna, somewhat damaged by neglect and careless handling. It seems probable, though the records are imperfect, that these are the globes referred to in an old catalogue of the Specola Library, and that they have been in the observatory since its founding in the year 1724.[45]

The Royal Estense Library of Modena is in possession of a well-preserved pair of Blaeu's large globes, as the librarian has kindly informed the author.[46] Each is supplied with an artistic wooden base, with a meridian and a horizon circle, the whole being about 79 cm. in height.

Each is furnished with a domelike cover of pasteboard, over the outside of which, and crossing at right angles, are two bands of carved leaves, and in each of the four s.p.a.ces thus formed is a decoration consisting of the lily of the Royal House of France. It appears not to be known how or when these globes came to the Estense Library; perhaps as a gift to a prince of the Ducal House of Este, from a member of the House of Orleans, or they were purchased perchance by an Estense amba.s.sador once having residence in Holland, as has been suggested.

Other undated pairs of the 1622 and 1640 issues may be found in the Seminario Vescovile of Chioggia, in the Museo di Strumenti Antichi of Florence, in the Biblioteca Governativo of Lucca, in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Naples, in the Biblioteca Chigi of Rome (Fig. 97), in the Collegio delle Scuole Pie of Savona, in the Liceo Marco Foscarini of Venice (Fig. 98), in the Pinacoteca Quirini of Venice, and in the private library of Count Francesco Franco of Venice. A copy of the terrestrial only may be found in the Biblioteca Comunale of Como, in the Konigl. Math. Phys. Salon in Dresden, in the Ist.i.tuto Tecnico of Florence, in the Biblioteca delle Misione Urbane of Genoa, in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum of Nurnberg, and a copy of the eighteen unmounted terrestrial globe gores, probably of the year 1647, in the British Museum. A copy of the celestial globe only may be found in the Biblioteca Civico of Aquila in the Konigl. Math. Phys. Salon of Dresden, and one in the British Museum, which is reported, however, to have a diameter of only twenty-four inches.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 97. Terrestrial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, 1622.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 98. Celestial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, 1622.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 98a. Terrestrial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, ca. 1640.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 98b. Celestial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, ca. 1640.]

The Biblioteca Barbarini of Rome possesses four armillary spheres, all appearing to be of the early seventeenth century. A description of two of these, neither signed nor dated, it has not been possible to obtain; two are the work of J. Paolo Ferreri, the one constructed in the year 1602 according to the brief record "Jo. Paulus Ferrerius f. f. an.

1602," and the other in the year 1624 being inscribed "F?? gio. Paulo Ferreri Ron?** ano 1624." Professor Uzielli has given to the author the information that these are of bra.s.s, having each a graduated horizon circle supported by four half circles which in turn rest on a single bra.s.s column. Through this horizon circle pa.s.ses an adjustable meridian circle 39 cm. in diameter, which is graduated and which supports other movable circles, such as the colures carrying the polar circles, the tropics, which are graduated, and the ecliptic, a broad band inclined 23-1/2 degrees to the equator, likewise graduated and engraved with the names of the months and of the constellations of the zodiac. Within the circles of each of these spheres, placed at what may be called their common center, is a small solid sphere to serve as a representation of a terrestrial globe but without geographical details. There appear to be but slight differences in the construction of these two armillary spheres, the one of 1624 having certain circles which are slightly smaller than are the corresponding ones on that of earlier date. From the same source it is learned that the artist, t.i.to Lessi of Florence, possesses an armillary sphere signed and dated "Lud: ? Sem: ? Bon: Fac: A. D. MDCXII," near which is a representation of a coat of arms with a dragon. The sphere is of bra.s.s, the diameter of its greatest circle being 63 cm. We know nothing of the Ludovico referred to as the maker, but who, as is noted, was a Bolognese. The same artist, as we are informed, likewise possesses another unsigned and undated armillary sphere which presumably is of the early seventeenth century.

Peter Plancius (1552-1622), a native of Drane-outer, West Flanders, is especially remembered as a militant theologian (Fig. 99) and as one of the most influential men active in the shaping of the colonial policy of the States of the Netherlands in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. His was indeed a stormy career wherein it touched the Reformation movements. In early life a monk, he later became an ardent reformer supporting the Calvinistic faith. After pa.s.sing some years in Germany and in England in study, he became, in the year 1578, a pastor in the city of Brussels. When persecution threatened him, he fled, in the year 1585, to Amsterdam, where he again became a pastor, exerting for many years a far-reaching influence in matters touching the relations of the reform movements and the state. Plancius, however, was not only learned in matters theological, he was interested, as stated above, in Dutch colonial enterprise, was a geographer, and a map and globe maker of great distinction. He in part planned and actively supported the Dutch expeditions of Barents, Hemskerken, Linschoten, and Le Maire, who undertook to find new routes to the Indies, both East and West. He a.s.sisted in the organization of the East India Company, which company made large contributions to the commercial prosperity of the Netherlands.[47] He was instrumental, with his countryman, William Usselinx, and others, in organizing the West India Company.[48] He took an active part in the planting of New Amsterdam in the New World, and in the establishment of Batavia in Java. He was counselor for twenty-five years in practically all matters pertaining to the welfare of the peoples of the Netherlands.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 99. Portrait of Peter Plancius.]

As map maker Plancius appears to have begun his activities shortly after taking up a residence in Amsterdam. His great world map in two hemispheres, one of his first productions, and one which may in part have served Blaeu and Hondius in the preparation of their masterpieces, of the years 1605 and 1611, respectively, was issued in the year 1592, a unique copy of which belongs to the Collegio del Corpus Christi of Valencia.[49] This map, bearing the t.i.tle "Nova et exacta terrarum orbis tabula geographica ac hydrographica," is composed of eighteen sheets, which, when joined, give a world map measuring 146 by 233 cm.

Blundeville makes interesting reference to this map under the following caption: "A Plaine and full Description of Petrus Plancius his vniuersall Mappe, seruing both for Sea and Land, and by him lately put forth in the yeere of our Lord 1592. In which Mappe are set downe many more places, as well of both the Indies, as Afrique, together with their true Longitudes and Lat.i.tudes, than are to be found either in Mercator his Mappe, or in any other Moderne Mappe whatsoeuer: And this Mappe doth show what Riches, Power, or Commodities, as what kind of Beasts both wild and tame, what Plants, Fruits, or Mines any Region hath, and what kinds of Merchandize do come from euery Region. Also the diuers Qualities and Manners of the People, and to whom they are subiect. Also who be the most mightie and greatest Princes of the World: A Mappe meet to adorne the House of any Gentleman or Merchant, that delighteth in Geographie: and herewith this Booke is also meete to be bought, for that it plainely expoundeth euery thing contained in the said Mappe."[50]

Blundeville notes further that Plancius drew another map of the whole earth in two hemispheres, employing the polar projection. He does not give the date of this map, but it presumably was issued shortly after that of 1592. A Plancius world map in two hemispheres, bearing t.i.tle "Orbis terrarum typus de integro multis in locis amendatus, auctore Petro Plancio 1594," appears in the account of Linschoten's expedition of 1599.[51] It is a well-drawn map, containing much valuable geographical data. Like Mercator, Hondius, and Blaeu, Plancius also undertook the construction of globes. Of these the oldest known appears to have been begun as early as the year 1612, the date appearing in the following dedication, "n.o.bilissimis Amplissimis Consultissimis ac Prudentissimis Dominis Consulariis Thala.s.siarchis atque Thalatto Oratoribus Hollandiae Zelandiae et Frisiae occidentalis nec non Magnificis ac Clarissimis Dominis Consulibus praeclarissimi Emporii Amstelodami, Petrus Kaerius humillimus cliens L. M. Q. dat, dicat, dedicat. Anno 1612." "To the Most n.o.ble, Exalted, Learned and Prudent Consular Lords and Orators Maritime of Holland, Zeeland and West Friesland, also to the Great and Distinguished Lords Counselors of the Renowned Emporium of Amsterdam, Peter Kaerius their humble client gives and dedicates (this globe). In the year 1612." Below the legend is engraved "Petrus Kaerius excudit ann. 1614," the date here given clearly indicating the year of issue. Not far from the dedicatory legend appears the following: "Ipsa experientia peritos Naucleros docuit volubiles libellas magnetis virtute infectas in Insulis Corvi et Florum Mundi polos recte respicere: idcirco ibi, taquam a communi Mundi Magn.

Meridiano Logitud. justis de causis initum sumunt Petrus Kaerius et Abrahamus Goos patrueles sculptores." "Experience itself has taught skilful mariners that loose leaves when under the electrical influence, in the islands of Corvo and Flores, turn directly toward the poles of the world, and for this reason it is here, as a common magnetic meridian of the world, that Peter Kaerius and Abraham Goos his cousin, engravers, locate with reason the beginning of longitude." The customary address to the reader, though here not so designated, reads, "In hujus nostri Globi delineatione ubique castigatissimas Tabulas Hydrographicas ac Geographicas sequuti sumus, quibus Germani, Hispani, Galli, Itali, Angli, Scoti, Dani, Norvegi, Suedi nec non et navigationibus utuntur: ad quae omnia comparanda nulli nec labori nec sumptui pepercimus: ventorum quoque regimmes ad usum navigantium admussim accomodavimus: quemadmodum artis periti, proprius inspiciendo, reperient. Vale ac frere. Petrus Plancius." "In the delineation of this our globe, we have everywhere followed the most correct hydrographic and geographic tables which the Germans, Spaniards, French, Italians, English, Scotch, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes use in their voyages. In doing this we have spared no labor nor expense. The directions of the winds (loxodromic lines) we have laid down with great exactness for the use of sailors, as those experienced in navigation will see on close inspection. Farewell and be happy. Peter Plancius." This gives us definitely to understand that this terrestrial globe was the work of Plancius.

The sphere is covered with a world map engraved on twelve gores, truncated at lat.i.tude 70 degrees, the polar s.p.a.ces being covered by the usual circular discs, each having in this case a radius of twenty degrees.

On his celestial globe, probably issued at the same time as the terrestrial just referred to, and intended as a companion of the same, having the same dimensions, we find the following legend: "In hac coelesti sphaera stellae affixae majore quam hactenus numero ac accuratiore industria delineantur. Novos Asterismos in philomatheom gratiam de integro addidi: quae omnia secundum Astronomorum Principis Tychonis Brahe, ac meam observationem verae suae Longitudinis ac Lat.i.tudinis ad annum Christi 1615 rest.i.tui. Petrus Plancius." "In this celestial sphere the fixed stars to a greater number than previously and with more exactness are depicted. I have added for the use of the student some entirely new star readings according to the prince of astronomers Tycho Brahe, and also my own observations of their true lat.i.tude and longitude adapting these to the year of Christ 1615. Peter Plancius." It then will be noted that the position of the stars located thereon is computed to the year 1615. In the southern hemisphere is a portrait of Tycho Brahe with the inscription "D. Tyco Brahe Summ.

Mathematic," below which is the legend "Tabula continens quantum quovis proposito anno vel addendum vel demendum sit Logitudini affixarum: nam hae 70 annorum et 5 mensis s.p.a.cio unic.u.m gradu secundu signoru ordine, super Pol. Zod. progrediuntur." "Table indicating how much for any given year is to be added to or to be subtracted from the longitude of the fixed stars. For these in the s.p.a.ce of 70 years and 5 months move one degree reckoned on the signs of the zodiac." But one pair of Plancius'

globes can now be located, this pair having been acquired a few years since for the Museo Astronomico of Rome (Fig. 100). They are reported to be in excellent condition. The spheres are of wood covered with plaster, having a diameter of about 21 cm., upon which the gores have been pasted. Wind roses are numerous, from which the usual direction or loxodromic lines radiate. s.h.i.+ps and sea monsters add to the decoration of the terrestrial globe map, and the figures of the several constellations have been artistically drawn. Each globe is furnished with a wooden base, having its horizon circle supported by four columns which are joined below by crossbars. Each has a bra.s.s meridian circle within which the globe is adjusted to revolve.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 100. Terrestrial Globe of Peter Plancius, 1614.]

Fiorini reports information received from Gabriel Marcel of the Bibliotheque Nationale and Captain F. v. Ortroy that there may be found in the Stein Museum of Antwerp a terrestrial globe of copper, neither signed nor dated, but which is thought to be the work of Peter Plancius.[52] Additional information concerning this globe has not been obtainable.

Isaac Habrecht (1589-1633), physician and mathematician, was a native of Stra.s.sburg, where he pa.s.sed the greater part of his life.[53] Incidental references to him a.s.sure that he was regarded in his day as a man of much ability. Among his publications, not numerous but scholarly, reference here may be made to his 'Tractatum de planiglobio coelesti & terrestri,' issued in Latin in the year 1628, and again in the year 1666 in both Latin and German, by Johann Christoph Sturm of Nurnberg.[54] In this work Habrecht describes his terrestrial and celestial globes, constructed, it appears, a few years previous to the issue of the publication.

The Hispanic Society of America possesses a fine example of what appears to be his first terrestrial globe (Fig. 101). It is undated, but internal evidence a.s.sures us that it was not constructed prior to the year 1612. Near the Arctic circle and north of the representation of Hudson's Bay we read "Huc usque retrocesserunt Amstelodamenses anno 1612." "At this point the Amsterdam (explorers) turned about in the year 1612." His first celestial globe, referred to below, seems clearly to be of the year 1619, and there is reason for placing his first terrestrial globe in the same year, since, in their size, and in many of their general features there is agreement. The globe ball of wood has a diameter of 20 cm. Its horizon circle, which has pasted on its upper surface the usual information relative to the names of the months, to the princ.i.p.al directions, and to the signs of the zodiac, is supported by four turned legs joined below by crossing bars, these bars in turn supporting a carved circular disc with a raised center through a slot in which the meridian circle is made to pa.s.s. The whole is indeed a remarkably well-preserved example of Habrecht's work.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 101. Terrestrial Globe of Isaac Habrecht, 1625.]

In an artistic cartouch to the south of the East Indian Islands and within "Terra Australis" is the following signed dedication: "Perill.u.s.tri et Generossissimo Dn? Dn? Eberardo Dynaste in Rappolstein. Hohenaccio et Geroltzeccio ad Vogasinum Divi Mathiae II Imp. nec non Sereniss. Maximiliani Archiducis Austriae. P. M. Camerario et Citeriorum Ordinum Provincialium Praesidi Magnifico: ex antiqua Duca Spoleti familia oriundo: Domino meo Clementissi? Triplicem hunc glob.u.m: Coelestem scilicet: convexum et concavum et hunc terrestrem novissimae editionis et correctionis. D. D. D. Isaacus Habrect Phil. et med. d.

Argentinensis." "To the Most Ill.u.s.trious and Most Generous Lord Eberhardt Ruler in Ruppelstein, Hohenau and Geroldseck in the Vosges, Divine Emperor Matties II and also the Most Serene Maximilian Archduke of Austria, the Exalted President of the Provincial Orders of the Cameria, and those on this side of the mountains, sprung from the Ancient Ducal Family of Spoleto, my Most Gracious Lord, this triple globe, that is celestial, convex and concave terrestrial, corrected according to the latest information, gives and dedicates Isaac Habrecht, philosopher and physician of Stra.s.sburg." In the northern part of North America is a legend referring to the expeditions of Davis, Schouten, and Le Maire reading, "Versus Artic.u.m polum ulterior transgressus hactenus ab Herculis licet Davis Angli labore id examinatus fuerit sicut et circa antarctic.u.m fretum noviter a Guilielmo Schout detectum Le Maire nuncupatum extremus adhuc navigationum est terminus. Quamvis nullus dubitet maxima totius...o...b..s magnalia sub polis delitescere quorum detectionem forsitan summus Deus suo tempore reservat. Typis Jacop. ab Heyden Argentinae." "Toward the Arctic pole the last voyage up to the present was made, with Herculean labors, by Davis an Englishman. Around the Antarctic a strait has lately been discovered by William Schouten and named Le Maire, and this, up to the present, is the extreme limit of navigation, although no one doubts that the greatest wonders of all the world lie hidden under the poles, the discovery of which, it may be that Almighty G.o.d reserves for his own time. Printed by Jacob von Heyden of Stra.s.sburg." It is probable that the Jacob von Heyden here referred to was a relative of Christian Heyden of Nurnberg, mathematician and globe maker of renown.[55] Below the legend last quoted is a brief one reading, "America septentrionalis a Christoforo Colombo 1492 detecta."

"North America discovered by Christopher Columbus in the year 1492."

This appears to have been quoted from the Hondius globe of the year 1618. The austral continent is referred to as "Terra Australis incognita," and near New Guinea is inscribed the following, likewise quoted from Hondius: "Sic dicta quod ejus littora locoruq Guineae Affricanae multum sint similia. Dicitur a nonnullis Terra de Piccinaculi; et sit ne insula an pars continentis Australis incertum est." "So called because its sh.o.r.es are much like those of African Guinea. It is called by some the land of Piccinaculi: and it is uncertain whether it is an island or a part of the Australian continent."

A considerable number of brief legends appear upon different parts of the globe map, each having a local significance. In coloring the map attention was given to the representation of territorial boundaries which gives an added interest to the globe. The "Meridia.n.u.s Primus" is made to pa.s.s through the Island of Corvo, and other meridians are drawn at intervals of ten degrees. The loxodromic lines, as on the Hondius globes, are made a conspicuous feature of the map, having their crossing centers at longitudes 0, 90, 180, and 270 on the equator, and on the prime meridian at lat.i.tude 35 both north and south, as well as at the same lat.i.tude on the opposite side of the sphere, where the prime meridian becomes the meridian of 180. Habrecht appears to have followed somewhat closely the globes of Hondius for his geographical data.

In addition to the Habrecht terrestrial globe in The Hispanic Society's collection, two other copies are known, which likewise are undated. One of these belongs to the Biblioteca Comunale of Sondrio, and the other to the Archivo Munic.i.p.ale of Asti.

Of the celestial globes of Habrecht four copies have been located; one being in the Biblioteca Comunale of Sondrio, in a good state of preservation; one in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum of Nurnberg, wanting, however, the original mounting, having its map engraved, as stated in a legend, by Jacob von Heyden et Johann Christoph Weigel; one in the Biblioteca Comunale of Asti; one in the Royal Museum of Ca.s.sel.

It is strikingly evident that Habrecht followed in the main the work of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, and Jodocus Hondius for his celestial globes. As the year 1619 was selected as the one in which star positions were to be recorded, it is probable, as intimated above, that these globes were constructed in that year. Each of the globes referred to is reported as retaining the brilliant coloring which had been laid on by hand.

Garcia de Cespedes, writing in 1606,[56] calls attention to a globe, concerning which nothing farther is known, referring to it as a "Globillo que hizo en Portugal aquel grau Piloto que se emborrachana cuyo nombre no me acuerdo." "A small globe constructed in Portugal by a great pilot, whose name is unknown, but who was a great drunkard."

In the year 1893 Baron Nordenskiold presented to the Royal Geographical Society a facsimile in gores of a globe map, which fact is noted in that society's Journal. The globe is one of silver, bearing the author and date legend "Johann Hauer. 1620." The record tells of its having been presented in the year 1632 to Gustavus Adolphus and that it is now one of the treasures of the National Museum of Stockholm. The engraved map is of the Hondius or the Mercator type presenting in the main the best geographical knowledge of the time. Its many legends are in the Latin language; the lettering, though small, is easily legible. The engraver has adorned the seas with s.h.i.+ps and with such marine animals as are frequently to be found in the maps of the period.[57]

It has been previously noted that the employment of engraved gore maps in globe construction was not received with general favor in Italy in the sixteenth century, although Mercator's globes were copied to some extent, as were those of De Mongenet. Toward the close of the century, the preference for ma.n.u.script globes, or for engraved bronze or copper globes seems gradually to have yielded to a belief in the more practical method of construction which had established itself in the North.

Originality, however, does not appear to have been a striking feature of Italian endeavor in this method of globe making. There was an occasional manifestation of independence and individuality, it is true, but in general there was a disposition to copy, and the early seventeenth century furnishes us an example in the reissue by Giuseppe de Rossi of the work of Jodocus Hondius, but without credit, as has been previously observed.

Among those who attained distinction in Italy in the first half of the seventeenth century in the construction of globes having engraved gore maps, may be named Mattheus Greuter. He was born in Stra.s.sburg in the year 1556, where he learned designing and engraving. In early life he went to Lyons in France where he carried on his work, but later he removed to Avignon, adding to his art in this city that of type cutting.

We next find him in Rome, busily engaged in the work of engraving, in which he had become exceedingly proficient, winning for himself a high place among the Italian artists of his day. Map engraving, we learn, early claimed his attention, and among his masterpieces in this field may be mentioned a large map of Italy. Of this work no copy is at present known, but it is thought that it probably served Magini as a model for his "Italia" which was published in the year 1620. It could not have been long after he had taken up his residence in Rome, where he became a naturalized citizen, that he began the preparation of his first terrestrial globe, which he issued in the year 1632. So well did he perform his work that he is ent.i.tled to rank with the leading globe makers of the Netherlands.

An excellent example of this first issue may be found in the Museum of The Hispanic Society of America (Fig. 102), this being one of the most valuable in its large collection. It has a diameter of 50 cm., and is mounted on a wooden base having four feet, which, though evidently very old, is clearly not the original base. It is furnished with a narrow wooden horizon circle which is not graduated, and the calendar and other representations, which one usually finds pasted on this circle in early globes, are entirely wanting. The meridian circle of iron, likewise, is not graduated, and like the wooden base is not a part of the original mounting. The sphere itself is remarkably well preserved, there being scarcely a noticeable injury to its surface save the slight discoloration of age. The engraved gore map covering the papier-mache ball, which is of very light construction, is composed of twelve sections, or rather of twenty-four, since each of the sections is cut at the equator, and the poles are covered with small circular discs.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 102. Terrestrial Globe of Mattheus Greuter, 1632.]

In the south Atlantic and near the great southern continent, in a neat cartouch surmounted by the coat of arms of the Boncompagni family of Bologna, is the following dedication: "Ill.u.s.trissimo et Excellentissimo Principi D. Iacobo Boncompagno Sorae Arcisque Duci Marchioni Vignolae Aquini Comiti Dno suo colendissimo. Mattheus Greuter Humill. obseqii ergo. D. D." "To the Most Ill.u.s.trious and Excellent Prince Lord Jacob Boncompagni, Duke of Sora and Arce, Marquis of Vignola and Count of Aquino, his Most Wors.h.i.+pful Lord Mattheus Greuter with humble obedience dedicates (this globe)." Iacopo Boncompagni, to whom Greuter dedicated his work, belonged to a famous family of Bologna.[58] He was born in Sora in the year 1613 and died in the year 1636. It was his great-grandfather, Hugo, who, in the year 1572, at the age of seventy, became Pope Gregory XIII, and who immortalized himself through his reform of the calendar. Iacopo, the grandfather of that member of the family to whom Greuter dedicated his globe, was in position, at the time of the elevation of his father to the Papacy, to have bestowed upon him great honors and riches. He was nominated Castellan of St. Angelo, and shortly thereafter, receiving the t.i.tle General of the Holy Church, was sent to Ancona with a commission to defend the maritime regions of the papal states. He was soon thereafter admitted to the n.o.bility of Rome, of the Kingdom of Naples, and of Venice. Through the riches of the Papacy he was able to purchase from Alfonso II of Este the Marquisate of Vignola for seventy-five thousand Roman scudi, the Duchy of Sora and of Arce from the Duke of Urbino for one hundred and ten thousand ducats, and the lands of Arpino and Roccasecca, together with the County of Aquino from Alfonso of Avalon, Marquis of Guasto, for one hundred and forty thousand ducats.

In the austral continent, and on the opposite side of the globe to that on which the dedication is placed is an address to the reader which is inscribed in a neat cartouch, reading "In ista quam exhibemus terreni globi descriptione omnium regionum iuxta et insularum quotquot hactenus ab Argonautis tam Lusitaniae quam aliarum gentium Naucleris visae et notatae loca in suo secundu longitudinem et lat.i.tudinem situ suma sedulitate et industria disposita invenies quae res non solum Geographiae studiosis jucuda, verum etiam ijs, qui terras longe dissitas et sub alio sole calentes frequentent, maxime utilis futura est. Huc igitur laborem nostrum ut tam gratis animis acceptatis sedulitate a n.o.bis est obitus ex aequo omnes rogatos volo. Mattheus Greuter auctor.

Excudit Roma Anno MDCx.x.xII." "On this globe which we exhibit, you will find all the regions and islands as far as they have hitherto been seen and noted by navigators of Portugal and of other nations, set down in their proper positions of lat.i.tude and longitude with the greatest care and industry. This will be pleasing not only to students of geography but it will be especially useful to those who visit far distant lands (which are) warmed by another sun. I hope therefore that all those whom I ask will accept this labor of ours with as much grat.i.tude as we have employed care upon it. Matthew Greuter maker. Made in Rome in the year 1632." This address agrees with that on the Blaeu terrestrial globe of 1622 except that Blaeu wrote "vel etiam ab aliarum gentium ...," whereas Greuter writes "tam Lusitaniae quam aliarum gentium ...," and Blaeu inserted a reference to the loxodromes he had drawn on his map, which loxodromes Greuter, omitting, had therefore no occasion for such reference. In the inscription referring to the prime meridian, Greuter again borrowed from Blaeu with scarcely an alteration, as he did in his reference to recent discoveries made for the purpose of finding a way to the East by the North. Blaeu's legend in the vicinity of the Tiborone Island, that near the Cape of Good Hope, and that near the Strait of Magellan were all copied literally by Greuter, and likewise that referring to the Le Maire Strait.

Greuter employed, in general, for the names of the regions of the Old World and for the seas, the Latin language, though he wrote "Mar del Nort" for the Atlantic and "Mar del Zur" for the Pacific. For the names of the New World he used the Spanish or the Portuguese, but occasionally the English, the French, the Dutch, or the language native to the region bearing the name. For the names of the cities he generally employed the language of the country or the Italian language.

Numerous s.h.i.+ps are represented sailing the seas, and the pictures of sea monsters are many. A few wind roses adorn the map, but, as before stated, loxodrome lines, regarded in general at that time as of great importance to sailors who had occasion to make use of the chart or the globe, were omitted by Greuter.

Hudson Bay, which is left nameless, is represented without a definite coast line in the north, but through a wide and extended channel it opens into "Fretum Davis." The St. Lawrence River appears to drain a lake, which may be taken from its location to be Lake Ontario; but the remaining four Great Lakes appear as one great inland sea with an outlet of somewhat uncertain character northward toward Hudson Bay. The geographical representations in this region are of special historical interest, as are indeed the geographical records in the several sections of North America, particularly in the South and the West.

As a companion to the terrestrial globe of the year 1632, Greuter prepared a celestial globe of the same dimensions, and with similar mountings, which he issued in the year 1636. He gives due credit, in one of his legends, to Tycho Brahe and to Willem Blaeu as sources of information for his representation of the stars and the several constellations, following, in particular, Blaeu's globe of 1622. His explanatory legend reads "In hoc coelesti Globo notantur omnes stellae fixie an annum 1636 accomodatae q iuxta observatione n.o.b. viri Tychonis Brahe, in max illo Iansonii, ano 1622 edito, positae sunt additis stellis q a peritiss? nauclero Petro Theod: circa Pol. Aust.

notatae su novisque Asterismis et stellis min. apparetib', ab aliis sum studio observatis, omnia in Philomatico gratia copiosa delineata. Romae, 1636, M. Greuter." "In this celestial globe are noted all the fixed stars accommodated to the year 1636, which are placed (on the map) according to the observations of the n.o.ble Tycho Brahe in that great (work) of Jansson (Blaeu), edited in the year 1622, to which are added the stars noted by the skilful navigator Peter Theodori around the south pole and the new and less apparent stars observed by others with great zeal. All these have been represented for the use of the student. At Rome, 1636. M. Greuter." As to how much he thought should be added to or subtracted from the longitude of the fixed stars each year, to the end of taking due note of the precession of the equinoxes, he copied Plancius literally. The equatorial circle, the tropics, the polar circles, the equinoxes, the solst.i.tial colures, the ecliptic, and twelve meridians are all represented. The constellations include the Ptolemaic, with the addition of those recently discovered and named in the southern hemisphere. The figures of the several constellations are well drawn, having their names in Latin or in Arabic, and are artistically colored in most of the copies of the globe known.

Greuter's globes all appear to have been made in the same size, and they have the same general construction, with the exceptions noted below.

A pair of these globes, that is, of the terrestrial, of the year 1632 and the celestial of 1636, may be found in the following public and private libraries and museums in addition to those above mentioned: Scuole Comunale of Ancona; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Bologna; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Camarino; in the Seminario Vescovile of Carpi; in the Biblioteca Comunale and also in the Museo Agabiti of Fabriano; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Ferrara; in the Biblioteca di Santa Maria Nuova of Florence; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Gubbio; in the Biblioteca Governativo of Lucca; in the Biblioteca Capitolari of Reggio; in the Museo Astronomico, also in the Biblioteca Chigi and the Biblioteca Vittorio Emanuele of Rome; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Sanseverino; in the Biblioteca Gonzaga of Mantua; in the Biblioteca Universitario of Messina; in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Milan; in the Museo Civico of Modena; in the Museo di Fisica and also in the Seminario Vescovile of Padua; in the Biblioteca Palatina of Parma and a pair in the possession of Joseph Baer & Company of Frankfurt, 1914. A copy of the terrestrial globe of the year 1632, in addition to the one described above as belonging to The Hispanic Society of America, may be found in the Biblioteca Comunale of Ba.s.sano; in the Ateneo of Brescia; in the Museo di Fisica of Catania; in the Archivo di Stato of Venice. In private libraries copies of these globes may be found in the possession of the General Antonio Gandolfi of Bologna; of Sr. P. Marezio Bazolle, once belonging to the Counts of Piloni of Belluno; of Professor Luigi Bailo of Treviso; of Sr. D. Luigi Belli of Genga. A copy of the celestial globe of the year 1636 may be found in the Biblioteca Comunale of Serra S. Quirico, and also a copy in the library of Mr. W. B.

Thompson of Yonkers, N. Y.

It does not appear that Greuter himself issued other editions of his globes. His death occurred in the year 1638, and in this same year what may be called a second edition of his globes of the years 1632 and 1636, having the same dimensions, was offered to the public. It has been noted above that one Giuseppe de Rossi of Milan reprinted in Rome, in the year 1615, the Hondius terrestrial and celestial globes of 1601, making but slight alterations in the same but giving the impression that he was the original author. It was perhaps a near relative of this Milanese engraver and printer, Giovanni Battista de Rossi, who in the year 1638 reprinted in Rome the Greuter globes with but few changes, none of which can be considered of special import save the introduction of his own name as printer instead of that of Greuter. It may, however, be noted that both globes are dated 1636, that below the Tropic of Capricorn on the terrestrial globe is the legend "Si stampa da Gio Batta de Rossi Milanese in Piazza Navona. Roma," and that the t.i.tle legend of the celestial reads "In hac coelesti sphaera stellae fixae majori quam hactenus numero et accuratiori industria delineantur novis Asterismis in Philomaticom gratiam de integro additis: quae omnia secundum Astronomorum Principis Tychonis Brahe et aliorum observationem verae suae longitudini ac lat.i.tudini ad annum Christi 1636 rest.i.tuta sunt.

Romae Matteus Greuter exc. 1636." "In this celestial globe are shown the fixed stars in greater number than previously, and with greater care and industry, the new constellations being added for the sake of the student. All these, according to the observations of the Prince of Astronomers, Tycho Brahe, and likewise the observations of others, have been a.s.signed to their proper lat.i.tude and longitude for the year of Christ 1636. Made at Rome by Mattheus Greuter 1636."

A pair of these globes of the second edition may be found in the private library of Cav. Giampieri-Carletti of Piticchio in the Marche; in a private library of Ancona (owner unknown); in the Seminario Vescovile of Toscanella. A copy of the terrestrial globe may be found in the Seminario Vescovile of Macerata; and of the celestial in the library of Count Francesco Conestabile of Perugia.

The Hispanic Society of America has in its collection a unique globe which is clearly the work of Mattheus Greuter (Fig. 103), although issued by Giovanni Battista de Rossi, as is attested by the legend, "Si Stampa da Gio Batta de Rossi Milanese in Piazza Navona Roma." This legend, appearing in a neat cartouch, occupies the same position in the southern hemisphere, near the prime meridian, as that in which one finds the dedication of his first issue, but that part of the cartouch in the earlier issue showing the coat of arms of the Boncompagni family is here left blank. The t.i.tle of the first issue is repeated save in the concluding words. Here we read "In iste quam exhibimus ... Mattheus Greuter auctor. Excudit Romae 1638." Other legends, such as those in the northern part of North America beginning, "Post apertum a Lusitanis ...," that southeast of Africa beginning, "Quam longitudinis initium ...," and the briefer ones referring to the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, to the expedition of Schouten, and to that of Magellan, are identical in the two editions. It, however, is to be noted that many of the briefer legends appearing in the first edition are wanting in this of the year 1638, and that in the latter the place names are greatly reduced in number. It is further particularly worthy of note that the North American continent in this later issue is very much altered in its outline. California appears as an island, "Insula California," and is separated from the great northwestern section of North America, which is likewise represented, though somewhat doubtfully, as an island, by the "Stretto di Anian," while the "Estreito de Jeso" separates the New World from Asia. The globe ball has a diameter of 26 cm. Its mounting is of wood. It has a broad horizon circle, on which are the representations of the signs of the zodiac, the calendar, the Roman and the Italian names of the winds or directions appearing in concentric circles, the whole being supported on a base consisting of four exquisitely carved and rather heavy support columns which are joined below by carved cross bracings. Its meridian circle is a comparatively recent and very clumsy subst.i.tute of wood for the original which doubtless was of bra.s.s. It is very seldom that one finds a globe of a date so early as is this which is so well preserved. The engraved map has the freshness of a new and unused print, excepting a very slight yellow tinge which is the contribution of age. On this globe map may be found one of the earliest attempts to give boundary lines to territorial divisions in the New World such as "Virginia," "La Florida," "Nuovo Mexico," "N. Amsterdam,"

"N. Suetia."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 103. Terrestrial Globe of Mattheus Greuter, 1638.]