Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-11-25
A REMARKABLE MAP.
An Interesting Specimen of Cartography of
the Era of Christopher Columbus
London Telegraph.

| The struggles of geography in the
middle ages were so far successful in lay
ing the basis of modern scientific discov-
cry that their results are even now admit
| ted as evidence in the settlement of dis
puted questions; notable Instance of
which fact is afforded by the second Bor-
| gian or Ribero map, recently brought in
TO consideration with a view to deter
mine international rights of possession in
/ the Caroline Islands. This remarkable
! specimen of cartography is the beauti-
full work of Don Diego Ribero, of Seville,
| geographer to Charles V. According to
| tradition, it was commenced about 1854,
or from that date to 1903, and was not
| finished until 1929, the retardation of the
work being justified by the active
| prosecution of geographical research at
/ that time, and the desire TO include all
! the latest discoveries. 1t Is reputed to
be the earliest map of the world in exis-
tencence, for the first Borgian map does
not pretend to completeness. Though
! full of the absurd old inaccuracies, it con
taius many shrewdly guesses or some
| thing more than guesses, at truth, and is
| especially remarkable as proving that
central African explorations had been
conducted to stage of scientific discoy-
| cry which modern geographers are hard
| ly disposed to concede as the achieve
ment of travellers three or four hundred
| years ago. The sources of the Nile and
the position of the three lakes now called
Albert Nyanza, Victoria Nyanza and Alex
ander Nyanza, have been very definitely
| though not accurately laid down. They
are placed too much on one straight line
from west to east, their size is too nearly
| equal; and their form is ridiculous guess
work. Moreover, they lie too far south
of the tropic of Capricorn, but their pres
ence on the map is at least sufficient tes-
timony to the knowledge of their exis-
tence at the time when Riboro did
his work. Considering too.
that the western continent had only Just
been discovered, the whole eastern line
of coast comes at least as near exactness
as if a promising child of ten had drawn
it on his slate from memory of the school
map. All the western shores of North
and South America have been left unde-
fined, and even great part unsuggested.
Like the earlier maps of i'm perfectly ex-
plored countries such for example as
those which are supposed to illustrate
the travels of Marco Polo, Sir John de
Vaudeville, and others, this map by San
Diego Ribero, is largely pictorial. The
Spaniards rule evidently was when in
doubt to draw stag, an elephant,
lion, a bear, or tree. Prester Johns
dominion is symbolically ind icated by a
large church in its midst. Russia is in a
state Of most admired disorder, the lack
of geographical definition being how
ever, compensated by a plentitude of
zoology. The Holy land is likewise much
confused; and Jerusalem, indicated by
three crosses which obviously denote
Calvary, is placed about fifteen hundred
miles out of true reckoning. GA country
discovered by the English, and of no
use''-to wit, Labrador-is placed right
up at the top of the map, far away from
its proper longitude as we'll as latitude,
and is signaIized by prodig1ous growth
Of forest trees. Gallons in full sail,
each as large as continent, hold their
steady course either to Or from Molucca,
the maritime center, according to med
iaeVal geographers, of the world.
The extraordinary map, which will re-
pay an hours attentive observation, has,
by the liberal permission of the pope,
been lent from the Archives of the propa-
ganda at Rome to the Colonial and In
dian exhibition. Sir Augustus Adderley,
K. G. M. G., tue royal and executive COM
missioner for the West Indies and British
Honduras, has also received on loan from
the congregation of propaganda at Rome
a small statistical atlas and an engraving
of the celebrated brass map of Marco
Polo, the original of which is included in
the magnificent collection left, in 1880,
by Cardinal Borgia, the last great repre-
sentative of his famous family. Curious
and ancient maps rare engravings, works
of art, antiquities, and other interesting
jects richly illustrate West Indian his
tory at tina OF the colonial exhibition hav-
ing been lent in great numbers. But I'M
questionably, and almost beyond com
parison, the most interesting of these
historical treasures is the Ribero may,
which is indeed document of priceless
archaeological value. The parchment is
several feet long by three in height, and
it has never been folded. its preservation
being evidently due to the utmost care
whether in keeping it rolled up or in dis
playing it under glass. The rich cOlOrs
used in its adornment, the ultramarines,
and other haraldic tints employed in the
coats of arms, quadrants, zodiacal signs,
and miscellaneous devices, being as fresh
as they could or should have been on the
day they were painted. The notion that
under Julius II. is somewhat favored by
the fact that the family conspicu-
Gus in which is the oak, emblazoned with
the tiara at the bottom Of the parchment.
This would make the date 1903; but there
are earlier indications. Nothing more
infinitely exquisite than the writing, which
is not confined to geographical names,
can be imagined. 1t is the perfection of
caligraphy, rather Italian than Spanish
in its graceful freedom. Many Of che
names are written in gold, and it is sur
missed that these which do occur in the
north of Mexico and Peru, are intended
to signify the presence Of gold mines
thereabout. The large lettering on the
upper and lower margins is in Spanish,
the line above being TO this effect: 'Uni-
yersal map, in which is contained all that
has been hitherto discovered of the world. |
Made by Diego Riberto, geographer to |
his majesty in Seville, 1922 while the |
words beneath, translated, are: 'The |
which is divided into two parts, accord |
ing to the agreement made by they Cath
IL i e