World Maps
A Journey Back in Time
Published on 8. September 2025
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-88-544-2154-7 (ISBN)
Description
World Maps is a visually stunning exploration of how maps have shaped human understanding throughout history. From the earliest known maps to intricate medieval charts, scientific cartography, and 20th-century propaganda maps, this book reveals not only geographical knowledge but also the evolution of human perception.
By examining maps from religious, social, scientific, and economic perspectives, readers gain insight into how different cultures and eras have viewed and interpreted the world. More than just a collection of historical artifacts, World Maps tells the story of exploration, power, and knowledge-showcasing the ways maps have influenced politics, trade, and even identity.
Perfect for history lovers, geography enthusiasts, and collectors, this book offers a fascinating journey through time, illustrating how our understanding of the world has been shaped by the maps we create.
By examining maps from religious, social, scientific, and economic perspectives, readers gain insight into how different cultures and eras have viewed and interpreted the world. More than just a collection of historical artifacts, World Maps tells the story of exploration, power, and knowledge-showcasing the ways maps have influenced politics, trade, and even identity.
Perfect for history lovers, geography enthusiasts, and collectors, this book offers a fascinating journey through time, illustrating how our understanding of the world has been shaped by the maps we create.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Vercelli
Italy
Illustrations
240 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 270 mm
Width: 233 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
1304 gr
ISBN-13
978-88-544-2154-7 (9788854421547)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Kevin J. Brown is a rare map dealer based in Brooklyn, New York. He is the owner of Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, one of the largest and most active firms specialising in antiquarian cartography in the United States. He has dealt with countless rare maps from all periods covering all regions. Kevin continues to have a passion for rare maps and always looks forward to his next cartographic discovery.
Content
Introduction 8
1. The Dawn of Cartography: From Peutinger to Kepler 14
Tabula Peutingeriana 16
Hereford Mappa Mundi 22
Universalis Cosmographia 24
Nova, et Integra Universi Orbis Descriptio 26
Altera Generalis Tab. Secundum Ptol. 28
Typus Orbis Universalis 30
Die ganze Welt in einem Kleberblat 32
Die erst General Tafel 34
Noua Orbis Terrarum Delineatio 36
2. The Dutch Golden Age: The Rise of the Modern Map 38
Typus Orbis Terrarum 40
Pars Orbis 42
La Herdike Enterprinse faict par le Signeur Draeck 44
O Caput elleboro Dignum... 46
Veritable Representation des Premieres Matieres ou Elements 48
Septentrionalium Terrarum Descriptio 50
Terrestrial Globe Gores 52
Orbis Terrae Novissima Descriptio 54
Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula 56
Werreldt Kaert 58
Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula 62
3. The French: Positivist Cartographic Imaginings 64
Mappe-monde Geo-Hydrographique 66
Le Globe Terrestre Represente en Deux Plans-Hemispheres 68
Carte Tres Curieuse De La Mer Du Sud 70
Le Globe Terrestre Represente en Deux Plans-Hemispheres 74
Mappe Monde nouvelle 76
Carte General Des Decouvertes De L'Amiral de Fonte 78
Mappe-Monde ou Description du Globe Terrestre 80
Planisphere Physique 82
Mappemonde ou Description du Globe Terrestre 84
Mappemonde 86
4. Cartography of Colonialism 88
Designatio Orbis Christiani 90
Carte Generale de Toutes Les Costes du Monde 92
Carte Generale des Royaumes, Etats et Domaines 94
Essay d'une Carte Reduite 96
British Empire, Showing the Commercial Routes of the World 98
5. The Oriental Perspective: The East Asian Global Vision 100
Complete Map of the Nine Border Towns of the Great Ming 102
Map of all Under Heaven 104
Outline Map of All Countries of the Universe 106
All-Under-Heaven Complete Map of the Everlasting Unified Qing Empire 108
Map of the World 112
Newly Made Map of the Earth 114
Square Map of all the Countries on the Globe 116
Map of the World 118
Home Education Round-the-World Sugoroku 120
Pictorial Map of the World 124
6. Scientifica: Maps and Science 126
Tabula Geographico-Hydrographica 128
Mappe-Monde Physique d'Apres les Vues du Prof. Pallas 130
Carte Generale de la Terre Appliquee a l'Astronomie 132
A General Map of the World, or Terraqueous Globe 136
View of the Comparative Heights, of the Principal Mountains and Lengths of the Principal Rivers in the World 142
Chart of the World Shewing the Tracks of the U.S. Exploring Expedition 144
Geometrical Projection of Two Thirds of the Sphere 146
Neueste Karte Der Erde 148
Zu Dr. Jileks Oceanografie 150
7. Whimsy and Persuasive Cartography 154
The Plumb-pudding in danger: or State Epicures taking un Petit Souper 156
Missionary Map of the World 158
Map of the Square and Stationary Earth 160
Prevailing Religions of the World and Progress of Evangelization 162
The Arctic Regions Showing Exploration Towards the North Pole 164
What Germany Wants 166
Great European Visit Memorial Flight Game 168
Wie met de heele wereld wil verkeeren, moet eerst Esperanto leeren! 170
Carriers of the New Black Plague 172
Military Panoramap of the Theatre of War 174
Target Berlin, Target Tokyo 176
Air France Reseau Aerien Mondial 180
8. The 19th Century: Gentleman Travelers and Armchair Adventurers 182
Jeu Instructif des Peuples et Costumes 184
Arrowsmith's Map of the World on a Globular Projection 190
A New Chart of the World on Mercator's Projection 192
Western Hemisphere 196
Planisphere 198
Colton's New Illustrated Map of the World 200
Planisphere Illustre 202
Nouveau Planisphere Illustre 204
Crofutt's New Map of the Trans-Continental, American,
and Trans-Continental, European, Route Around the World 206
Le Tour du Monde en un Clin d'Oeil 208
9. Worlds that Were, and Were Not 214
Les Marins Monstres & Terrestres 216
Mundus Alter et Idem 218
Planisphaerium Coeleste 220
Accurata Utopiae Tabula 224
Sisteme de la Creation du Monde 226
Carte de l'Isle de la Felicite 228
Temperance Map 230
An Anciente Mappe of Fairy Land Newly Discovered and Set Forth 232
The Author 238
1. The Dawn of Cartography: From Peutinger to Kepler 14
Tabula Peutingeriana 16
Hereford Mappa Mundi 22
Universalis Cosmographia 24
Nova, et Integra Universi Orbis Descriptio 26
Altera Generalis Tab. Secundum Ptol. 28
Typus Orbis Universalis 30
Die ganze Welt in einem Kleberblat 32
Die erst General Tafel 34
Noua Orbis Terrarum Delineatio 36
2. The Dutch Golden Age: The Rise of the Modern Map 38
Typus Orbis Terrarum 40
Pars Orbis 42
La Herdike Enterprinse faict par le Signeur Draeck 44
O Caput elleboro Dignum... 46
Veritable Representation des Premieres Matieres ou Elements 48
Septentrionalium Terrarum Descriptio 50
Terrestrial Globe Gores 52
Orbis Terrae Novissima Descriptio 54
Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula 56
Werreldt Kaert 58
Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula 62
3. The French: Positivist Cartographic Imaginings 64
Mappe-monde Geo-Hydrographique 66
Le Globe Terrestre Represente en Deux Plans-Hemispheres 68
Carte Tres Curieuse De La Mer Du Sud 70
Le Globe Terrestre Represente en Deux Plans-Hemispheres 74
Mappe Monde nouvelle 76
Carte General Des Decouvertes De L'Amiral de Fonte 78
Mappe-Monde ou Description du Globe Terrestre 80
Planisphere Physique 82
Mappemonde ou Description du Globe Terrestre 84
Mappemonde 86
4. Cartography of Colonialism 88
Designatio Orbis Christiani 90
Carte Generale de Toutes Les Costes du Monde 92
Carte Generale des Royaumes, Etats et Domaines 94
Essay d'une Carte Reduite 96
British Empire, Showing the Commercial Routes of the World 98
5. The Oriental Perspective: The East Asian Global Vision 100
Complete Map of the Nine Border Towns of the Great Ming 102
Map of all Under Heaven 104
Outline Map of All Countries of the Universe 106
All-Under-Heaven Complete Map of the Everlasting Unified Qing Empire 108
Map of the World 112
Newly Made Map of the Earth 114
Square Map of all the Countries on the Globe 116
Map of the World 118
Home Education Round-the-World Sugoroku 120
Pictorial Map of the World 124
6. Scientifica: Maps and Science 126
Tabula Geographico-Hydrographica 128
Mappe-Monde Physique d'Apres les Vues du Prof. Pallas 130
Carte Generale de la Terre Appliquee a l'Astronomie 132
A General Map of the World, or Terraqueous Globe 136
View of the Comparative Heights, of the Principal Mountains and Lengths of the Principal Rivers in the World 142
Chart of the World Shewing the Tracks of the U.S. Exploring Expedition 144
Geometrical Projection of Two Thirds of the Sphere 146
Neueste Karte Der Erde 148
Zu Dr. Jileks Oceanografie 150
7. Whimsy and Persuasive Cartography 154
The Plumb-pudding in danger: or State Epicures taking un Petit Souper 156
Missionary Map of the World 158
Map of the Square and Stationary Earth 160
Prevailing Religions of the World and Progress of Evangelization 162
The Arctic Regions Showing Exploration Towards the North Pole 164
What Germany Wants 166
Great European Visit Memorial Flight Game 168
Wie met de heele wereld wil verkeeren, moet eerst Esperanto leeren! 170
Carriers of the New Black Plague 172
Military Panoramap of the Theatre of War 174
Target Berlin, Target Tokyo 176
Air France Reseau Aerien Mondial 180
8. The 19th Century: Gentleman Travelers and Armchair Adventurers 182
Jeu Instructif des Peuples et Costumes 184
Arrowsmith's Map of the World on a Globular Projection 190
A New Chart of the World on Mercator's Projection 192
Western Hemisphere 196
Planisphere 198
Colton's New Illustrated Map of the World 200
Planisphere Illustre 202
Nouveau Planisphere Illustre 204
Crofutt's New Map of the Trans-Continental, American,
and Trans-Continental, European, Route Around the World 206
Le Tour du Monde en un Clin d'Oeil 208
9. Worlds that Were, and Were Not 214
Les Marins Monstres & Terrestres 216
Mundus Alter et Idem 218
Planisphaerium Coeleste 220
Accurata Utopiae Tabula 224
Sisteme de la Creation du Monde 226
Carte de l'Isle de la Felicite 228
Temperance Map 230
An Anciente Mappe of Fairy Land Newly Discovered and Set Forth 232
The Author 238