Bernadus Sylvanus:  Secunda Europae Tabula (Spain, Balearic Islands & Portugal)

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Title: Secunda Europae Tabula (Spain, Balearic Islands & Portugal)

Map Maker: Bernadus Sylvanus

Description:

Fine example of Sylvanus' map of Spain, the Balearic Island and Portugal, one of the earliest obtainable maps of the region and the first printed in two colors.

Sylvanus' map of the Iberian Peninsula is one of the earliest obtainable maps of the region. While it is based upon the Geography of Claudius Ptolemy, it differs from the earlier maps of printed editions of Ptolemy (Bologna 1477, Rome 1478, Ulm 1482, Berlingheri 1482 and Rome 1507) , presenting some hints of modern information not present in the earlier maps.  As noted by Ashley Baynton Williams

The most unusual of the editions of Ptolemy, was that published by Jacobus Pentius de Leucho in Venice in 1511, edited by Bernardus Sylvanus. Sylvanus, realizing the geography was out-dated, attempted to update the maps by inserting more modern information, often from contemporary manuscript sources, over the Ptolemaic material, creating an unusual effect. An innovative feature is that the maps, which are printed from woodblocks, are printed in two colors, red and black, with the principal names in red. 

The map appeared in Sylvanus' Claudii Ptholemaei Alexandrini liber Geographicae . . ., publish in Venice in 1511.     

Related Categories:
Maps of European Islands
Maps of Portugal
Maps of Spain