Volume Ii Part 2 (1/2)

A pair may be found in the Osservatorio Astronomico of Bologna, somewhat damaged by neglect and careless handling. It seems probable, though the records are imperfect, that these are the globes referred to in an old catalogue of the Specola Library, and that they have been in the observatory since its founding in the year 1724.[45]

The Royal Estense Library of Modena is in possession of a well-preserved pair of Blaeu's large globes, as the librarian has kindly informed the author.[46] Each is supplied with an artistic wooden base, with a meridian and a horizon circle, the whole being about 79 cm. in height.

Each is furnished with a domelike cover of pasteboard, over the outside of which, and crossing at right angles, are two bands of carved leaves, and in each of the four s.p.a.ces thus formed is a decoration consisting of the lily of the Royal House of France. It appears not to be known how or when these globes came to the Estense Library; perhaps as a gift to a prince of the Ducal House of Este, from a member of the House of Orleans, or they were purchased perchance by an Estense amba.s.sador once having residence in Holland, as has been suggested.

Other undated pairs of the 1622 and 1640 issues may be found in the Seminario Vescovile of Chioggia, in the Museo di Strumenti Antichi of Florence, in the Biblioteca Governativo of Lucca, in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Naples, in the Biblioteca Chigi of Rome (Fig. 97), in the Collegio delle Scuole Pie of Savona, in the Liceo Marco Foscarini of Venice (Fig. 98), in the Pinacoteca Quirini of Venice, and in the private library of Count Francesco Franco of Venice. A copy of the terrestrial only may be found in the Biblioteca Comunale of Como, in the Konigl. Math. Phys. Salon in Dresden, in the Ist.i.tuto Tecnico of Florence, in the Biblioteca delle Misione Urbane of Genoa, in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum of Nurnberg, and a copy of the eighteen unmounted terrestrial globe gores, probably of the year 1647, in the British Museum. A copy of the celestial globe only may be found in the Biblioteca Civico of Aquila in the Konigl. Math. Phys. Salon of Dresden, and one in the British Museum, which is reported, however, to have a diameter of only twenty-four inches.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 97. Terrestrial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, 1622.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 98. Celestial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, 1622.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 98a. Terrestrial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, ca. 1640.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 98b. Celestial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, ca. 1640.]

The Biblioteca Barbarini of Rome possesses four armillary spheres, all appearing to be of the early seventeenth century. A description of two of these, neither signed nor dated, it has not been possible to obtain; two are the work of J. Paolo Ferreri, the one constructed in the year 1602 according to the brief record ”Jo. Paulus Ferrerius f. f. an.

1602,” and the other in the year 1624 being inscribed ”F?? gio. Paulo Ferreri Ron?** ano 1624.” Professor Uzielli has given to the author the information that these are of bra.s.s, having each a graduated horizon circle supported by four half circles which in turn rest on a single bra.s.s column. Through this horizon circle pa.s.ses an adjustable meridian circle 39 cm. in diameter, which is graduated and which supports other movable circles, such as the colures carrying the polar circles, the tropics, which are graduated, and the ecliptic, a broad band inclined 23-1/2 degrees to the equator, likewise graduated and engraved with the names of the months and of the constellations of the zodiac. Within the circles of each of these spheres, placed at what may be called their common center, is a small solid sphere to serve as a representation of a terrestrial globe but without geographical details. There appear to be but slight differences in the construction of these two armillary spheres, the one of 1624 having certain circles which are slightly smaller than are the corresponding ones on that of earlier date. From the same source it is learned that the artist, t.i.to Lessi of Florence, possesses an armillary sphere signed and dated ”Lud: ? Sem: ? Bon: Fac: A. D. MDCXII,” near which is a representation of a coat of arms with a dragon. The sphere is of bra.s.s, the diameter of its greatest circle being 63 cm. We know nothing of the Ludovico referred to as the maker, but who, as is noted, was a Bolognese. The same artist, as we are informed, likewise possesses another unsigned and undated armillary sphere which presumably is of the early seventeenth century.

Peter Plancius (1552-1622), a native of Drane-outer, West Flanders, is especially remembered as a militant theologian (Fig. 99) and as one of the most influential men active in the shaping of the colonial policy of the States of the Netherlands in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. His was indeed a stormy career wherein it touched the Reformation movements. In early life a monk, he later became an ardent reformer supporting the Calvinistic faith. After pa.s.sing some years in Germany and in England in study, he became, in the year 1578, a pastor in the city of Brussels. When persecution threatened him, he fled, in the year 1585, to Amsterdam, where he again became a pastor, exerting for many years a far-reaching influence in matters touching the relations of the reform movements and the state. Plancius, however, was not only learned in matters theological, he was interested, as stated above, in Dutch colonial enterprise, was a geographer, and a map and globe maker of great distinction. He in part planned and actively supported the Dutch expeditions of Barents, Hemskerken, Linschoten, and Le Maire, who undertook to find new routes to the Indies, both East and West. He a.s.sisted in the organization of the East India Company, which company made large contributions to the commercial prosperity of the Netherlands.[47] He was instrumental, with his countryman, William Usselinx, and others, in organizing the West India Company.[48] He took an active part in the planting of New Amsterdam in the New World, and in the establishment of Batavia in Java. He was counselor for twenty-five years in practically all matters pertaining to the welfare of the peoples of the Netherlands.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 99. Portrait of Peter Plancius.]

As map maker Plancius appears to have begun his activities shortly after taking up a residence in Amsterdam. His great world map in two hemispheres, one of his first productions, and one which may in part have served Blaeu and Hondius in the preparation of their masterpieces, of the years 1605 and 1611, respectively, was issued in the year 1592, a unique copy of which belongs to the Collegio del Corpus Christi of Valencia.[49] This map, bearing the t.i.tle ”Nova et exacta terrarum orbis tabula geographica ac hydrographica,” is composed of eighteen sheets, which, when joined, give a world map measuring 146 by 233 cm.

Blundeville makes interesting reference to this map under the following caption: ”A Plaine and full Description of Petrus Plancius his vniuersall Mappe, seruing both for Sea and Land, and by him lately put forth in the yeere of our Lord 1592. In which Mappe are set downe many more places, as well of both the Indies, as Afrique, together with their true Longitudes and Lat.i.tudes, than are to be found either in Mercator his Mappe, or in any other Moderne Mappe whatsoeuer: And this Mappe doth show what Riches, Power, or Commodities, as what kind of Beasts both wild and tame, what Plants, Fruits, or Mines any Region hath, and what kinds of Merchandize do come from euery Region. Also the diuers Qualities and Manners of the People, and to whom they are subiect. Also who be the most mightie and greatest Princes of the World: A Mappe meet to adorne the House of any Gentleman or Merchant, that delighteth in Geographie: and herewith this Booke is also meete to be bought, for that it plainely expoundeth euery thing contained in the said Mappe.”[50]

Blundeville notes further that Plancius drew another map of the whole earth in two hemispheres, employing the polar projection. He does not give the date of this map, but it presumably was issued shortly after that of 1592. A Plancius world map in two hemispheres, bearing t.i.tle ”Orbis terrarum typus de integro multis in locis amendatus, auctore Petro Plancio 1594,” appears in the account of Linschoten's expedition of 1599.[51] It is a well-drawn map, containing much valuable geographical data. Like Mercator, Hondius, and Blaeu, Plancius also undertook the construction of globes. Of these the oldest known appears to have been begun as early as the year 1612, the date appearing in the following dedication, ”n.o.bilissimis Amplissimis Consultissimis ac Prudentissimis Dominis Consulariis Thala.s.siarchis atque Thalatto Oratoribus Hollandiae Zelandiae et Frisiae occidentalis nec non Magnificis ac Clarissimis Dominis Consulibus praeclarissimi Emporii Amstelodami, Petrus Kaerius humillimus cliens L. M. Q. dat, dicat, dedicat. Anno 1612.” ”To the Most n.o.ble, Exalted, Learned and Prudent Consular Lords and Orators Maritime of Holland, Zeeland and West Friesland, also to the Great and Distinguished Lords Counselors of the Renowned Emporium of Amsterdam, Peter Kaerius their humble client gives and dedicates (this globe). In the year 1612.” Below the legend is engraved ”Petrus Kaerius excudit ann. 1614,” the date here given clearly indicating the year of issue. Not far from the dedicatory legend appears the following: ”Ipsa experientia peritos Naucleros docuit volubiles libellas magnetis virtute infectas in Insulis Corvi et Florum Mundi polos recte respicere: idcirco ibi, taquam a communi Mundi Magn.

Meridiano Logitud. justis de causis initum sumunt Petrus Kaerius et Abrahamus Goos patrueles sculptores.” ”Experience itself has taught skilful mariners that loose leaves when under the electrical influence, in the islands of Corvo and Flores, turn directly toward the poles of the world, and for this reason it is here, as a common magnetic meridian of the world, that Peter Kaerius and Abraham Goos his cousin, engravers, locate with reason the beginning of longitude.” The customary address to the reader, though here not so designated, reads, ”In hujus nostri Globi delineatione ubique castigatissimas Tabulas Hydrographicas ac Geographicas sequuti sumus, quibus Germani, Hispani, Galli, Itali, Angli, Scoti, Dani, Norvegi, Suedi nec non et navigationibus utuntur: ad quae omnia comparanda nulli nec labori nec sumptui pepercimus: ventorum quoque regimmes ad usum navigantium admussim accomodavimus: quemadmodum artis periti, proprius inspiciendo, reperient. Vale ac frere. Petrus Plancius.” ”In the delineation of this our globe, we have everywhere followed the most correct hydrographic and geographic tables which the Germans, Spaniards, French, Italians, English, Scotch, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes use in their voyages. In doing this we have spared no labor nor expense. The directions of the winds (loxodromic lines) we have laid down with great exactness for the use of sailors, as those experienced in navigation will see on close inspection. Farewell and be happy. Peter Plancius.” This gives us definitely to understand that this terrestrial globe was the work of Plancius.

The sphere is covered with a world map engraved on twelve gores, truncated at lat.i.tude 70 degrees, the polar s.p.a.ces being covered by the usual circular discs, each having in this case a radius of twenty degrees.

On his celestial globe, probably issued at the same time as the terrestrial just referred to, and intended as a companion of the same, having the same dimensions, we find the following legend: ”In hac coelesti sphaera stellae affixae majore quam hactenus numero ac accuratiore industria delineantur. Novos Asterismos in philomatheom gratiam de integro addidi: quae omnia secundum Astronomorum Principis Tychonis Brahe, ac meam observationem verae suae Longitudinis ac Lat.i.tudinis ad annum Christi 1615 rest.i.tui. Petrus Plancius.” ”In this celestial sphere the fixed stars to a greater number than previously and with more exactness are depicted. I have added for the use of the student some entirely new star readings according to the prince of astronomers Tycho Brahe, and also my own observations of their true lat.i.tude and longitude adapting these to the year of Christ 1615. Peter Plancius.” It then will be noted that the position of the stars located thereon is computed to the year 1615. In the southern hemisphere is a portrait of Tycho Brahe with the inscription ”D. Tyco Brahe Summ.

Mathematic,” below which is the legend ”Tabula continens quantum quovis proposito anno vel addendum vel demendum sit Logitudini affixarum: nam hae 70 annorum et 5 mensis s.p.a.cio unic.u.m gradu secundu signoru ordine, super Pol. Zod. progrediuntur.” ”Table indicating how much for any given year is to be added to or to be subtracted from the longitude of the fixed stars. For these in the s.p.a.ce of 70 years and 5 months move one degree reckoned on the signs of the zodiac.” But one pair of Plancius'

globes can now be located, this pair having been acquired a few years since for the Museo Astronomico of Rome (Fig. 100). They are reported to be in excellent condition. The spheres are of wood covered with plaster, having a diameter of about 21 cm., upon which the gores have been pasted. Wind roses are numerous, from which the usual direction or loxodromic lines radiate. s.h.i.+ps and sea monsters add to the decoration of the terrestrial globe map, and the figures of the several constellations have been artistically drawn. Each globe is furnished with a wooden base, having its horizon circle supported by four columns which are joined below by crossbars. Each has a bra.s.s meridian circle within which the globe is adjusted to revolve.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 100. Terrestrial Globe of Peter Plancius, 1614.]

Fiorini reports information received from Gabriel Marcel of the Bibliotheque Nationale and Captain F. v. Ortroy that there may be found in the Stein Museum of Antwerp a terrestrial globe of copper, neither signed nor dated, but which is thought to be the work of Peter Plancius.[52] Additional information concerning this globe has not been obtainable.

Isaac Habrecht (1589-1633), physician and mathematician, was a native of Stra.s.sburg, where he pa.s.sed the greater part of his life.[53] Incidental references to him a.s.sure that he was regarded in his day as a man of much ability. Among his publications, not numerous but scholarly, reference here may be made to his 'Tractatum de planiglobio coelesti & terrestri,' issued in Latin in the year 1628, and again in the year 1666 in both Latin and German, by Johann Christoph Sturm of Nurnberg.[54] In this work Habrecht describes his terrestrial and celestial globes, constructed, it appears, a few years previous to the issue of the publication.

The Hispanic Society of America possesses a fine example of what appears to be his first terrestrial globe (Fig. 101). It is undated, but internal evidence a.s.sures us that it was not constructed prior to the year 1612. Near the Arctic circle and north of the representation of Hudson's Bay we read ”Huc usque retrocesserunt Amstelodamenses anno 1612.” ”At this point the Amsterdam (explorers) turned about in the year 1612.” His first celestial globe, referred to below, seems clearly to be of the year 1619, and there is reason for placing his first terrestrial globe in the same year, since, in their size, and in many of their general features there is agreement. The globe ball of wood has a diameter of 20 cm. Its horizon circle, which has pasted on its upper surface the usual information relative to the names of the months, to the princ.i.p.al directions, and to the signs of the zodiac, is supported by four turned legs joined below by crossing bars, these bars in turn supporting a carved circular disc with a raised center through a slot in which the meridian circle is made to pa.s.s. The whole is indeed a remarkably well-preserved example of Habrecht's work.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 101. Terrestrial Globe of Isaac Habrecht, 1625.]

In an artistic cartouch to the south of the East Indian Islands and within ”Terra Australis” is the following signed dedication: ”Perill.u.s.tri et Generossissimo Dn? Dn? Eberardo Dynaste in Rappolstein. Hohenaccio et Geroltzeccio ad Vogasinum Divi Mathiae II Imp. nec non Sereniss. Maximiliani Archiducis Austriae. P. M. Camerario et Citeriorum Ordinum Provincialium Praesidi Magnifico: ex antiqua Duca Spoleti familia oriundo: Domino meo Clementissi? Triplicem hunc glob.u.m: Coelestem scilicet: convexum et concavum et hunc terrestrem novissimae editionis et correctionis. D. D. D. Isaacus Habrect Phil. et med. d.

Argentinensis.” ”To the Most Ill.u.s.trious and Most Generous Lord Eberhardt Ruler in Ruppelstein, Hohenau and Geroldseck in the Vosges, Divine Emperor Matties II and also the Most Serene Maximilian Archduke of Austria, the Exalted President of the Provincial Orders of the Cameria, and those on this side of the mountains, sprung from the Ancient Ducal Family of Spoleto, my Most Gracious Lord, this triple globe, that is celestial, convex and concave terrestrial, corrected according to the latest information, gives and dedicates Isaac Habrecht, philosopher and physician of Stra.s.sburg.” In the northern part of North America is a legend referring to the expeditions of Davis, Schouten, and Le Maire reading, ”Versus Artic.u.m polum ulterior transgressus hactenus ab Herculis licet Davis Angli labore id examinatus fuerit sicut et circa antarctic.u.m fretum noviter a Guilielmo Schout detectum Le Maire nuncupatum extremus adhuc navigationum est terminus. Quamvis nullus dubitet maxima totius...o...b..s magnalia sub polis delitescere quorum detectionem forsitan summus Deus suo tempore reservat. Typis Jacop. ab Heyden Argentinae.” ”Toward the Arctic pole the last voyage up to the present was made, with Herculean labors, by Davis an Englishman. Around the Antarctic a strait has lately been discovered by William Schouten and named Le Maire, and this, up to the present, is the extreme limit of navigation, although no one doubts that the greatest wonders of all the world lie hidden under the poles, the discovery of which, it may be that Almighty G.o.d reserves for his own time. Printed by Jacob von Heyden of Stra.s.sburg.” It is probable that the Jacob von Heyden here referred to was a relative of Christian Heyden of Nurnberg, mathematician and globe maker of renown.[55] Below the legend last quoted is a brief one reading, ”America septentrionalis a Christoforo Colombo 1492 detecta.”

”North America discovered by Christopher Columbus in the year 1492.”

This appears to have been quoted from the Hondius globe of the year 1618. The austral continent is referred to as ”Terra Australis incognita,” and near New Guinea is inscribed the following, likewise quoted from Hondius: ”Sic dicta quod ejus littora locoruq Guineae Affricanae multum sint similia. Dicitur a nonnullis Terra de Piccinaculi; et sit ne insula an pars continentis Australis incertum est.” ”So called because its sh.o.r.es are much like those of African Guinea. It is called by some the land of Piccinaculi: and it is uncertain whether it is an island or a part of the Australian continent.”

A considerable number of brief legends appear upon different parts of the globe map, each having a local significance. In coloring the map attention was given to the representation of territorial boundaries which gives an added interest to the globe. The ”Meridia.n.u.s Primus” is made to pa.s.s through the Island of Corvo, and other meridians are drawn at intervals of ten degrees. The loxodromic lines, as on the Hondius globes, are made a conspicuous feature of the map, having their crossing centers at longitudes 0, 90, 180, and 270 on the equator, and on the prime meridian at lat.i.tude 35 both north and south, as well as at the same lat.i.tude on the opposite side of the sphere, where the prime meridian becomes the meridian of 180. Habrecht appears to have followed somewhat closely the globes of Hondius for his geographical data.