Mundo Grande Mappe

I recieved this in the post yesterday and thought I'd share it with you seeing as it is very much mapping related. Mighty Ape had a mighty sale and this book was only about $18.. SCORE... its an awesome book (and I've only skimmed through the first 4 chapters!) 

So, here's a sneaky peak at the book.. but seriously, this is more of a sales pitch than anything. If you love maps, or history or the history of maps, or the history of places or stories with a mapping twist this is the book for you!

This map below is the Walseemuller (spelling??) map.. it is the first map to ever call America "America"!

This map below is the Mappe Mundi. From what I remember it shows the whole known world/universe with all sorts of far off places with hideous part-man monstrosities. A lot of detail, the original doesnt exist any more but there were photographs taken by the nuns who looked after it so it was recreated from those (check my references!)

This one below is fairly well known, it shows Australia (Hollandia) as the Southern continent. From what is says in here, the name Hollandia was given by the European explorers because they knew something was there, but it wasnt until it was circumnavigated that it was named Australia (Australis.. something something). And look! NZ is there.. sort of..

It has chapters on Atlantis, the Garden of Eden, King Arthur and Guenivere... it really has a lot going for it. Its a shame the maps have the spine of the book going through them, but otherwise its a fantastic read with and endless supply of cartographic inspiration.

two thumbs up