Behaim's Life With Large Facsimile Maps
Co-Authored by Alexander von Humboldt
This rare work consists of a mid-19th Century attempt to present a history of the life of Martin Behaim, along with an introductory treaties on the Oldest Maps of America by Alexander von Humboldt.
The work is perhaps most notable for its exceptional early facsimile maps of:
- Juan de la Cosa's map of America
- Western half of Ruysch's 1508 map of America
- Eastern hemisphere of Martin Behaim's globe of 1490-1492 (22 x 22 inches)
- Western hemisphere of Martin Behaim's globe of 1490-1492 (22 x 22 inches)
- Western half of Johannes Schoner's globe of 1520 (22 x 22 inches)
The text discusses the enduring significance of Martin Behaim, a 15th-century German cartographer and navigator whose work, including the creation of the oldest surviving terrestrial globe in 1492, played a pivotal role in the Age of Exploration. Behaim's innovations, such as improved astrolabes and calculation methods, are credited with facilitating voyages by Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and other explorers. Despite Behaim's historical importance, much of his life remains shrouded in mystery, particularly the years between 1493 and 1506, prompting efforts to uncover and preserve his legacy through archival research and reproductions of his globe.
While extensive archival work in Nuremberg and Portugal has revealed some insights, Behaim's limited correspondence and the scarcity of records have left many questions unanswered. The text highlights speculative connections between Behaim and later discoveries, such as the Strait of Magellan, underscoring his influence on early global navigation. Supported by the contributions of Alexander von Humboldt and other scholars, the work aims to situate Behaim's contributions within the broader context of 15th- and 16th-century exploration, offering a tribute to his legacy in both academic and public spheres.
By documenting Behaim's contributions to navigation and exploration, this research emphasizes the interconnectedness of scientific advancements and maritime achievements during the late medieval and early modern periods.
The translation of the title is History of the Seafarer Sir Martin Behaim according to the oldest existing documents compiled by Dr. F. W. Ghillany, Knight of the Royal Netherlands Order of the Oak Crown, City Librarian in Nuremberg Introduced by a Treatise: On the Oldest Maps of the New Continent and the Name America By Alexander von Humboldt . . .
Martin Behaim Globe -- The Earth Apple
The Erdapfel, or "earth apple," created by Martin Behaim between 1490 and 1492, is recognized as the oldest surviving terrestrial globe. Measuring 51 cm (20 in) in diameter, it is a remarkable artifact of pre-Columbian geography. Constructed from a laminated linen sphere reinforced with wood, the globe is covered with meticulously painted map gores applied to a parchment layer, a process carried out by Georg Glockendon.
Behaim drew heavily on navigational charts, including those of Jorge de Aguiar, and the influence of Martellus's map is evident in the globe's representation of exaggerated landmasses and mythical geographies. Notably, the globe does not include the Americas, as it was completed prior to Columbus’s return to Spain in March 1493. The map features an enlarged Eurasian continent, an empty ocean between Europe and Asia, and elements such as the mythical Saint Brendan's Island and an oversized Cipangu (Japan), located far south of its true position.
The globe’s name, "Erdapfel," may derive from the Reichsapfel ("Imperial Apple" or Globus cruciger), a symbol of imperial power housed alongside the Imperial Regalia in Nuremberg, where the globe was created. Its name is unrelated to the modern German usage of "Erdapfel" to mean potato, as potatoes were unknown in Europe at the time. The Erdapfel reflects the geographical knowledge and misconceptions of the late 15th century, including an enormous phantom peninsula east of the Golden Chersonese (Malay Peninsula) and a vast, uncharted ocean where the Americas would soon be discovered.
Originally displayed in the Nuremberg town hall, the globe remained there until the early 16th century before passing into the care of the Behaim family. In 1907, it was transferred to the Germanic Museum in Nuremberg for preservation. As the only surviving terrestrial globe from the pre-Columbian era, the Erdapfel provides invaluable insights into the geographic understanding of the time and serves as a testament to early cartographic innovation.
Johannes Schöner's Globes
The globes of Johannes Schöner (1477–1547), beginning with his first in 1515, represent some of the earliest surviving terrestrial globes and are pivotal in the history of cartography. Schöner, a skilled mathematician and astronomer, combined the latest geographic knowledge with earlier works, such as Martin Waldseemüller's 1507 map and Martin Behaim's 1492 globe. His 1515 globe stands out for its depiction of the Americas as an island, described in his treatise Luculentissima quaedam terrae totius descriptio as "the New World and fourth part of the globe," reflecting the emerging understanding of transatlantic discoveries. Schöner's globe also preemptively depicts the Magellan Strait, separating South America from a southern landmass, years before its official discovery in 1520. The globe’s accompanying descriptions provide fascinating accounts of the Americas, emphasizing their exotic fauna, indigenous cultures, and resources.
Schöner's later globes, including the 1520 and 1523 editions, continued to develop these themes. His 1520 manuscript globe bears an inscription detailing its creation, attributing its production to a collaboration with Johannes Seyler. Notably, Schöner's globes repeatedly depict an Antarctic continent, which he called Brasilie Regio, based on speculative accounts of Portuguese explorations and Graeco-Roman concepts of the Antipodes. His 1523 globe, rediscovered in 1927, refined the representation of the Americas, now shown as part of Asia, reflecting evolving European understanding of global geography following Magellan’s circumnavigation. This iteration accompanied his Opusculum Geographicum, where Schöner explained his methodology of integrating astronomical data and marine charts.
Perhaps most influential was Schöner’s depiction of the Terra Australis, a southern continent described as “recently discovered but not yet fully known” on his 1523 and 1533 globes. His work directly influenced later cartographers, including Oronce Fine, Gerard Mercator, and Abraham Ortelius, who expanded on his concept of a vast southern landmass. Schöner’s ideas about the southern continent also inspired the Dieppe mapmakers and theories surrounding Jave la Grande. The Schöner globes exemplify the transitional period in cartography when geographic knowledge blended speculation, ancient ideas, and new discoveries, leaving a profound legacy on the way the world was visualized and understood.
Rarity
Ghillany's work is rare on the market.
We note 2 examples at auction in the past 50 years.