The first geographical atlas was published 447 years ago
Today's issue of the "History of Science" column tells about the world's first atlas of a modern type, about the idea of continental drift and about the disgrace that was spoken about in Russia at the end of the 16th century.
Mediterranean, map by Abraham Ortelius / Wikimedia Commons
When people talk about the history of cartography, the Flemish Gerard Mercator is usually the first to remember, whose surname has almost become a household name. The projection is Mercator, the globe is Mercator. However, the world's first geographical atlas in the sense in which we are used to seeing it was created not by this outstanding person, but by his compatriot.
Abraham Ortelius. Portrait by Rubens Wikimedia Commons
Abraham Ortelius (or, as is often written, Ortelius) was born in 1527 in Antwerp. From his youth, he gravitated towards drawing maps and began his career as an engraver-cartographer. Already at the age of 20, he was admitted to the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke (in our opinion, the Union of Artists), which gave him the right to professionally engage in any kind of fine art. Gaining experience, Ortelius began to make maps himself. In 1564 he published his first independent map on eight sheets: Typus Orbis Terrarum. By the way, it seems that it was then that Ortelius - for the first time in the world - came up with the idea that the outlines of the continents are complementary and even the idea (later formalized by Alfred Wegener into a full-fledged theory) that these continents could move. He suggested that America is "running away" from Europe and Africa.
Typus Orbis Terrarum, world map by Abraham Ortelius / Wikimedia Commons
The world map was a success, and the future court geographer of the Spanish king Philip II (who Ortelius will become in 1575) began work on the main work of his life. Six years later, the first modern atlas of the world was ready.
Promotional video:
On May 20, 1570, the publishing house of the great Christopher Plantin, whose dynasty published books until 1865, published the first copy of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Large format (sheet size 33x50 centimeters), a collection of the best maps of that time, both by Ortelius himself and other masters, including Mercator, “splitting” large-scale maps into small ones - this was an ideal edition for that time.
Christopher Plantin. Portrait by Rubens / Wikimedia Commons
As a result, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum has withstood 42 editions (25 lifetime) in 42 years: the last version came out 14 years after the author's death, with a total circulation of 7,500 copies. And this despite the fact that it was the most expensive book of the 16th century! It must be said that Ortelius constantly worked on his book and supplemented, supplemented, supplemented it … If the first edition consisted of 70 maps, then the posthumous edition by 1612 had already 167.
Map of the Pacific by Abraham Ortelius / Wikimedia Commons
An important detail: if the first edition was, as befits the maps of that time, in Latin, then Ortelius decided to publish his atlas for those who do not speak this language - not scholars, but ordinary travelers. So the Latin editions were followed in just three years by the Dutch, German and French. Another important detail: Ortelius made his atlas as a scientific and educational book. His maps are sometimes similar to modern children's encyclopedias: the maps depicted not only countries and relief elements, but also some living creatures connected with countries: local residents, animals, and so on.
In 1579 Ortelius added a section of historical maps to his "Theater": Parergon Theatri, which was also published separately.
The atlas of Ortelius was well known in our country as well, which was depicted on his maps next to the huge Tartary. The Atlas in Russian sources was called at first "Disgrace of the whole universe", and then the name "Spectacle of the Earth's Circle" was established.
Russia and Tartary / Wikimedia Commons
Ortelius died in 1598. At the same time, a "pocket" edition of his atlas in France was published under the title "Mirror of the World, or Epitome (summary - approx. Indicator. Ru) of the Spectacle of Abraham Ortelius". Many works of the great cartographer are now available online.
Author: Alexey Paevsky