ILLUSTRATIONS
FIG. PAGE [1. The Leardo map of the world, 1452 or 1453] frontispiece [2. Passage from mid-eighteenth century manuscript of the Doge Marco Foscarini referring to Leardo map of 1447] 23 [3. Passage from mid-eighteenth century manuscript of Giovanni Agostini referring to Leardo map of 1447] 23 [4. General key map] at end of book [5. Detailed key map; northeastern section] at end of book [6. Detailed key map; east-central section] at end of book [7. Detailed key map; southeastern section] at end of book [8. Detailed key map; northwestern section] at end of book [9. Detailed key map; west-central section] at end of book [10. Detailed key map; southwestern section] at end of book
THE LEARDO MAP OF THE WORLD
1452 OR 1453
The notes will be found on pp. [21]-28.
In 1906 Archer M. Huntington, Esq., presented to the American Geographical Society one of three known maps of the world signed and dated by the Venetian, Giovanni Leardo. Of these, the oldest, as well as the crudest and simplest, is preserved in the Communal Library at Verona and carries the date 1442.[1] The second (1448), somewhat more elaborate in design, belongs to the Civic Museum at Vicenza.[2] The Society’s map,[3] the largest of the three, bears the signature in the lower right-hand corner: Johanes Leardus de Venetteis me fezit abano domini 145[?]. The last digit in this inscription is partly mutilated; the date, however, is probably either 1452 or 1453.[4]
The Society’s map is of primary interest as revealing a conception of the earth’s surface typical of the century preceding the discovery of America. In its blending of colors and pleasing general composition it forms a work of art of no slight decorative value. Furthermore, the encircling calendar and many details on the map proper are distinctly unusual.[5] The Society has therefore undertaken the publication of a full-sized colored facsimile, in explanation of which the present book was prepared. Drawn on a piece of parchment measuring 28½ by 23⅜ inches (72.4 × 59.4 cm.), the original is in a fair state of preservation except for two pieces torn from the left-hand side, for discolorations, and for the fading of some of the inscriptions. Fortunately, no part of the map itself has been seriously injured.