Portolan Chart Collection

VESPUCCIs WORLD MAP, 1526. Juan Vespuccis world map, 1526

The Selden Map of China. Artist: Chinese Master
The Selden Map of China. Found in the collection of the Bodleian Library, Oxford

CANTINO WORLD MAP, 1502. Western half of the Cantino map of the world, 1502, showing (at left) the Tordesillas Treaty demarcation line of 1494 which divided the non-Christian (i.e)

CARIBBEAN: MAP, 1775. English engraved map of The Caribee Islands from Puerto Rico to Barbados by Thomas Jefferys, 1775

NINA: WORLD MAP, 1500. World map, 1500, of Juan de la Cosa, navigator on the Nina on Christopher Columbus second voyage of 1493-94

MANSA MUSA (1312-1337). King of Mali. Mansa Musa seated on his throne. Facing him is a Tuareg on his camel. Detail from the Catalan Atlas of 1375

The Cantino planisphere, 1502. Artist: Anonymous master
The Cantino planisphere, 1502. Found in the collection of the Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Modena

PORTUGUESE MAP OF BRAZIL. Between the Amazon River and the Rio de la Plata, 1519

BRAZIL: MAP AND NATIVE INDIANS. Portuguese map of Brazil, 1565, depicting a family of native Indians, one of whom is harvesting brazilwood trees (probably Caesalpinia echinata or Sappan)

Cartography, 16th century. Map of the Mediterranean Sea, from a portolan chart by Pietro Russo, Messina, 1508 (map)
AIS5350346 Cartography, 16th century. Map of the Mediterranean Sea, from a portolan chart by Pietro Russo, Messina, 1508 (map); Museu Maritim Atarazanas, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain; © Iberfoto.

Carta Pisana, ca 1275-1300. Artist: Anonymous master
Carta Pisana, ca 1275-1300. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France

Portolan chart of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, c
991250 Portolan chart of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, c.1575-1600 (Illuminated manuscript on vellum) by Italian School

Chart of the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and the coasts of western Europe
5054668 Chart of the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and the coasts of western Europe and northwest Africa, c.1559 (parchment) by Prunes, Matteo (fl.1560); Private Collection; Italian, out of copyright

Navigation chart showing China, Ceylon and the Philippines and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, c. 1540 (vellum)
3854274 Navigation chart showing China, Ceylon and the Philippines and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, c.1540 (vellum) by Agnese, Battista (1514-64); Photo © Derek Bayes

Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, Sea of Azov…, 16th century
Portolan chart of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa, 16th century. Found in the Collection of Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid

Nautical world map. (Australia is suggested but still unknown territory and, California is shown as an island), 1634. Found in the Collection of Bibliothe que Nationale de France

Nautical chart, 1558. Found in the collection of British Museum

Nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea, 1508. Found in the collection of Museo Maritimo, Barcelona

Nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, 1440s. Artist: Rossell (Rosselli)
Nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, 1440s. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France

World Map (Propoganda), 1529. Artist: Ribeiro, Diogo (?-1533)
World Map (Propoganda), 1529. Found in the collection of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

MANSA MUSA (1312-1337). King of Mali. Mansa Musa seated on his throne. Facing him is a Tuareg on his camel. Detail from the Catalan Atlas of 1375

CHINA: MAP, 1375. Detail from the Catalan Atlas, 1375, showing China and the Grand Canal

NEW WORLD MAP, 1547. Map of the West Indies and Central American from the Vallard Atlas, c. 1547; the map, drawn " upside-down" as if viewed from Europe

Map of Spain and Morocco coast, by Diego Homen, from Portolan chart, 1557
Cartography, 16th century. Map of Spain and Morocco coast, from a portolan chart by Diego Homen, 1557

Saint Brendan, from a C19th copy of the Pizzigani portolan, 1367 (engraving)
XJF498434 Saint Brendan, from a C19th copy of the Pizzigani portolan, 1367 (engraving) by Pizzigano, Domenico and Francesco (14th century) (after); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

MAP: NEW ENGLAND, 1635. Line engraving of Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova from Willem Janszoon Blaeus Atlas of 1635, showing the coast of North America from Virginia to the St. Lawrence River

BLAEUs PASKAERT, 1617. Willem Janszoon Blaeus first paskaart, the first printed map on which Manhattan appears as an island

SECOND PASKAERT MAP, 1621. This map was first issued shortly after the incorporation, in 1621, of the Dutch West India Company, whose possessions it portrayed

MAP OF BORNEO, 1595. Detail of Borneo from Peter Plancius chart of the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, published in 1595 at Amsterdam

STRAITS OF MAGELLAN, 1598. Patagonia and the Straits of Magellan as depicted in Olivier du Noorts Description du penible Voyage, published, 1602, in Amsterdam

MAP OF NEW FRANCE, 1612. The easterly portion of Samuel de Champlains 1612 map of New France

WORLD MAP, 16th CENTURY. Map of the world from Battista Agneses Atlas, c1542-52

MAP: AFRICA, ARABIA, INDIA. Map of North and East Africa, Arabia, and part of India from the Vallard Atlas, c1547; the map, drawn upside-down as if viewed from Europe

MAP OF WEST AFRICA, c1547. From the Vallard Atlas; the map, drawn upside-down as if viewed from Europe, depicts the trading fortress of Sao Jorge da Mina on the African Gold Coast

WORLD MAP, c1513. World map by Martin Waldseemuller, thought by some to have been compiled with the assistance of Christopher Columbus and so referred to as the Admirals Map, c1513

MAP OF THE ATLANTIC, 1534. Manuscript map on parchment by Jorge Reinel

CHANNEL CHART, 1596. Detail of sailing chart of English Channel by Thomas Hood, 1596

CANTINO WORLD MAP, 1502. The Cantino chart of 1502, the earliest Portugese manuscript showing New World discoveries

Portolan-Nautical planisphere chart by Juan de la Cosa, Circa 1500, 19th Century copy
Cartography, 16th century. Portolan-Nautical planisphere chart by Juan de la Cosa, 1500 ca. Copy from the 19th century

Detail from Portolan chart by Ioannes Superantius
Cartography, 16th century. Portolan chart by Ioannes Superantius, detail

Portolan chart, map of Cairo, Egypt
Cartography, Egypt, 16th century. Portolan chart, map of Cairo

Portolan chart of Ottoman Empire by Ioannes Superantius
Cartography, 16th century. Portolan chart of the Ottoman Empire by Ioannes Superantius

Portolan chart of Venice and Genoa
Cartography, Italy, 15th century. Portolan chart of Venice and Genoa

STRAITS OF MAGELLAN, 1696. Engraved map, French, of the Straits of Magellan, 1696

ATLAS, 16TH CENTURY. European atlas depicting China and Japan, 16th century

NEW ENGLAND MAP, 1616. John Smiths map of New England. Line engraving, 1616

MOLUCCAS: SPICE ISLANDS. Engraved map of the Moluccas or Spice Islands, from Jan Blaeus atlas of 1662

ATLANTIC OCEAN MAP, 1650. Engraved map of the Atlantic Ocean, 1650, by Jan Jansson from his Novus Atlas
ATLANTIC OCEAN MAP, 1650. Engraved map of the Atlantic Ocean, 1650, by Jan Jansson from his " Novus Atlas."

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A portolan chart is a type of navigational map that was commonly used by sailors during the 13th to 16th centuries. These charts were highly detailed and accurate, providing crucial information about coastlines, harbors, and landmarks. One notable example is "The Selden Map of China, " created by an anonymous Chinese master. This map, dating back to the early 17th century, showcases the intricate knowledge of Chinese cartographers at the time. Another significant portolan chart is "Vespucci's World Map" from 1526. Created by Juan Vespucci, this map depicts various continents and provides valuable insights into geographical understanding during that era. The "Cantino World Map" from 1502 displays the western half of the world according to Portuguese explorers' knowledge at that time. It highlights their discoveries in Africa and South America. Thomas Jefferys' engraved map of The Caribee Islands in 1775 offers a glimpse into English exploration in the Caribbean region during colonial times. Juan de la Cosa's "Nina: World Map" from around 1500 showcases his experiences as a navigator on Christopher Columbus' second voyage aboard the Nina ship. "The Cantino Planisphere, " an anonymous masterpiece from 1502, reveals Portugal's extensive maritime knowledge during its Age of Discovery. A Portuguese map from 1519 focuses on Brazil between the Amazon River and Rio de la Plata. It demonstrates early European exploration efforts in South America. In another Portuguese map from 1565 depicting Brazil, native Indians are shown harvesting brazilwood trees—a valuable resource at that time—providing insight into indigenous cultures encountered by European explorers. Portolan charts also covered regions beyond Europe; for instance, one shows navigation routes through China, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Philippines along with Tropics lines around mid-16th century These maps were essential tools for sailors, providing accurate information for safe navigation.