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Description

Peter Apian's Pivotal World Map -- Among the First To Name America -- Here Complete with Book in a Highly Desirable Contemporary Calf Binding.

Peter Apian's 1520 map Tipus Orbis Universalis is one of the most important early maps of the World. For many years, it was believed that Apian's map was the first map to use the name America, as well as the earliest to utilize a truncated cordiform (heart-shaped) projection. It was not until the discovery in 1901 of the sole surviving example of Waldseemuller's 12-sheet map of the World, published in 1507, that the true source of Apian's map was the Waldseemuller map, which is known in a single example (purchased by the Library of Congress from its original German owners in 2001 for $10,000,000).

As noted by Shirley, Apian's map faithfully follows the Waldseemuller model with "a close geographic correspondence, a similarity of woodcutting style, and the same truncated cordiform." There is one significant improvement in Apian's map, the creation of a passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean which is not present in Waldseemuller's map of the world. The timing of the change corresponds to the departure of Ferdinand Magellan in search of a passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific and supports the theory that Magellan was aware of prior voyages of exploration that had reached the Pacific, which are not well documented in modern times.

Apianus' map is one of the key links to the use of Amerigo Vespucci's name (America) for the New World. Walldseemuller first suggested the use of the term "America" in his pamphlet Cosmographiae Introductio in 1507, and in the same year, produced a wall map of the world bearing the name. The map was for centuries only known in legend, until a copy was discovered in Wolfegg Castle in Germany at the end of the 19th century. The name "America" did not appear again on a printed map until the publication of this map in 1520. Curiously Waldseemuller's own 1513 atlas world map does not resemble his 1507 map, making this the earliest obtainable example of Waldseemuller's cartography on a printed map.

With the passage of time, Waldseemuller opted not to use "America" to name the New World. None of the maps in his 1513 atlas include the name and his wall map of 1516 also omits this name. It is quite possible that had Peter Apian not adopted the name "America" for the New World, the name would not have survived. Since Apianus was a highly regarded scholar and teacher, it is reasonable to conclude that his use of the name America in 1520 was a primary contributing factor to its survival.

Laurent Fries, whose initials appear on the map, was almost certainly the engraver of the map. In 1522, Fries would complete an updated edition of Waldseemuller's Geographiae, including 2 world maps derived from Waldseemuller.

During the 16th Century, the quest for geographical knowledge was primarily spurred on by trade. The great trading nations of Europe became leaders in the printing of maps. Because of its location connecting land routes to the east and southeast, Germany became one of the pre-eminent map centers. Peter Apian, also known by his Latin name Petrus Apainus, was a professor of mathematics and was known as a great astronomer. These skills combined with his interest in geography led to the establishment of his own printing press in Landshut. Apian's textbook Cosmographicus Liber was first published in 1524. The fourth edition (1529) and later editions were edited by his pupil Gemma Frisius, who inserted his own world map in the 1545 publication.

Condition Description
Quarto, full contemporary calf with extensive decoration in blind; front covers lettered in blind "SOLINUS" and "POMPONIUS MELEA" at top and bottom respectively, and "1520" in the center (very expert restoration of the top edge of the front cover); spine separated by five raised bands, each compartment with repeat decoration of raised dots, original metal clasps (front anchor points extant, one hook and leather tie lacking). The map with replaced blank paper in the upper left, lower left, and lower right corners, the replacement barely touching the printed image.