Historic Maritime Maps

Description

This book presents a selection of ocean-going charts dating from the 13th century to the 17th century. While they may be rudimentary, they bear excellent witness to the achievements of early European navigators, and to their determination to explore the ends of the Earth. What the charts may lack in geographical accuracy, they undoubtedly make up for in their charm. And of course they are invaluable as historical records. Recounting the epic journeys of maritime exploration, from Erik the Red to Robert Peary, author Donald Wigal leads us gently and pleasurably from "Terra Incognita" to the "World As We Know It".

Donald Wigal has long been fascinated by historical archives and documents. He is always ready to travel the world at a moment's notice in search of a newly-discovered old chart. An art historian of considerable academic standing, Donald Wigal is a major contributor to the Academic American Encyclopedia and a noted biographer of historic personalities.