Until now, Monte’s manuscript map was seen as a series of 60 individual sheets. Science, art, and history all in one document. Monte's map reminds us of why historical maps are so important as primary resources: the north polar azimuthal projection of his planisphere uses the advanced scientific ideas of his time the artistry in drawing and decorating the map embodies design at the highest level and the view of the world then gives us a deep historical resource with the listing of places, the shape of spaces, and the commentary interwoven into the map.

The digitally joined 60 sheet map image below is the first time the map Monte made has been seen as one unified map - as Monte intended - in the 430 years since it was created. It was hand drawn by Monte in Milan, Italy, and only one other manuscript copy exists. At 10 foot square, this map or planisphere is the largest known early map of the world. Planisphere of 1587Īn extraordinary 60 sheet manuscript world map made in 1587 by Urbano Monte has been added to the David Rumsey Map Collection at Stanford University.

Earth flat map clipart