Ruge further notes the finding in the same Gymnasium of Zerbst of a celestial globe on which appears the following legend, “Faciebant Gemma Frisius medicus ac mathematicus, Gaspar a Myrica & Gerardus Mercator Rupelmundanus anno a partu virgineo 1537.” “Gemma Frisius physician and mathematician, Gaspar Myrica and Gerhard Mercator of Rupelmunde made this globe in the year 1537.” A comparison of this legend with that of the terrestrial globe leads to the somewhat ingenious argument that the latter, though undated, is the older of the two. We know that Mercator was a pupil of Gemma Frisius,[221] and that after leaving his university studies he found employment with the master in draughting maps and in the construction of mathematical instruments. In the dated legend of 1537 Mercator and Myrica appear to have advanced in importance, seeing that in the undated legend they are merely referred to as the engravers, while Frisius alone is mentioned as the maker of the map. Since this discovery we are better informed as to the source of Mercator’s information which he gives in his map of 1538; the evidence being conclusive that in the main he followed the records of Frisius, adapting his map, however, to the double cordiform projection.[222]
Harrisse describes a gilded copper globe, belonging to the collection of the Bibliothèque Nationale, having a diameter of 14 cm. and bearing the author and date legend reading “Robertus de Bailly 1530.”[223] It is composed of two parts rather insecurely joined on the line of the equator, and is entirely without mountings. The engraving of the names, all in small capitals, has been remarkably well done. In outlining the contour of the New World the draughtsman of the map has been influenced by the Verrazanian data, and although exhibiting minor differences in details there is a striking resemblance to the map of Maiollo of 1527,[224] to that of Verrazano of 1529,[225] and to that of Ulpius of 1541.[226] The region called by Maiollo “Francesca,” by Verrazano “Verrazana sive Gallia nova,” by Ulpius “Verrazana sive Nova Gallia,” Robertus calls “Verrazana.” In addition we find such names as “Terra Laboratoris,” “Bachaliao,” “La Florida,” “Tenustitan,” “Parias,” “Mundus Novus,” “America,” “St. Crusis,” “Terra Magellanica.”
A second globe by Robertus de Bailly may be found in the library of Mr. J. P. Morgan of New York City (Fig. [52]). This example, signed and dated “Robertus de Bailly 1530,” and acquired a few years since, may be counted one of the finest metal globes of the period. None can be referred to which is in a better state of preservation, if we can accept its mounting as the original.[227] In Rosenthal’s catalogue No. 100 it is referred to as a “Verrazzano-Globus,” which is clearly an error, if there was thought of ascribing it to Giovanni Verrazano, the explorer, or to his brother Hieronimus, the chart maker. The outlines of its map of the New World are clearly of Verrazanian origin (Fig. [53]), which therefore give to it a particular interest and value.
Harrisse, in 1896, called attention to his discovery of two globes apparently of the early fourth decade of the sixteenth century.
The first of these he refers to as a gilded copper sphere about 12 cm. in diameter, and fashioned to contain the mechanism by means of which it is made to revolve. It is neither signed nor dated. At the extremity of the rod passing through the sphere is an arrangement apparently for attachment to a second piece of mechanism, probably a planetarium. It is surrounded by a disc on which the hours are engraved in Roman numerals. The geographical outlines are clearly of Verrazanian origin, representing the New World relatively long and narrow and having no Asiatic connection. With few exceptions the nomenclature is in the Latin language, but we read for instance “El pasaie de S. Michel” and “Rio de las Amazonas”. The name “America” appears only on the southern continent, where we also find such legends as “Francisi Pizarri hoc m(onticu?) lo contra indos insignis victoria anno 1533,” and off the coast of Peru “Ulterius incognitum.”
The second of these globes is likewise of copper, having a diameter of 21 cm. and carries the inscription “Christoff Schiepp sculpsit. Augusta,” which is placed around a cartouch especially designed for a representation of the coat of arms of the Welser family. This family, it will be remembered, figured conspicuously in connection with the German attempt at the colonization of Venezuela. The engraved title of the map is practically the same as that to be found on the Paris gilt globe and reads “Nova et integra universi orbis descriptio.” It omits, however, the legend “Francesca” and “Verrazana sive nova Gallia,” which fact may be due to its German origin. The nomenclature in Mexico and in South America is very detailed. The La Plata River, for example, as in the Gilt globe and in the Wooden globe, is called “Sinus Juliani”; the Pacific is called “Oceanus Magnus Gelanicus.” The austral land is referred to as “Terra australis nuper inventa, sed nondum plene examinata.”
Fig. 52. Terrestrial Globe of Robertas de Bailly, 1530. Nine of twelve gores exhibiting the map.