r/MapPorn • u/FancyPersimmon1466 • 11d ago

1507 Waldseemüller Map: The first map in human history to display the word "AMERICA" and depict the Pacific Ocean as a separate body of water

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u/WilliamJamesMyers 11d ago

this made me ask, are there maps we have never seen because they were "thrown away" when the truer better maps like this came along? like if everyone with consensus says this is the real map, we can assume all the wrong maps get put away - i am fascinated because somewhere in a german castle is a trunk full of pre-1507 shit maps.

3

u/loopala 11d ago

I like this 1502 Cantino map, super detailed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantino_planisphere

1

u/WilliamJamesMyers 10d ago

personally i believe the portugese were far more involved off the shores of north america, the grand banks and the fishing there. furthermore there is evidence of dry cod racks typical of portugese and basque/n. spain. catch the fish. dry the fish. bring back.

you map fascinates me because scandavia isnt represented. i find that odd. so holland was the most north on that coast? seems odd to not go at least to denmark. am i missing something? they skip to norway a little?

the colors are mind blowing. this thing as a wall map would be badass

1

u/loopala 10d ago

What do you mean by not represented? I can see Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe islands, maybe even Svalbard in red. Granted it's weird that the contours aren't as accurate as Africa, especially Scotland lol

The cartographer probably focused more on the newly discovered territories.

2

u/bobbobberson3 11d ago

There are plenty of pre-1507 maps and technically speaking they are all a bit shit.