Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Unexpected 16th Century Finding
to Have Disappeared Just After Its Printing -
Anthony Jenkinson's Map of Russia, 1562
Krystyna Szykuła
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/50224
1. Introduction
Nowadays it is rather not common to find 16 th century map to be unknown for five
centuries. In case of Jenkinson's map of Russia (1562), it was well known by historians of
cartography, however, only from their renditions. It occurs possible thanks to the
outstanding Flemish 16 th century cartographer and editor Abraham Ortelius. One day he
simply decided to collect the maps of his times to create an atlas. In this way the first atlas in
a quite new editorial form came into existence, equally becoming a rich historical source for
the scientists of different fields. Ortelius collected the maps of different regions of the world
made by different excellent cartographers of his times. One of the maps that gained his
interest was the map being a result of the first English travels to explore the way to China
and India by water. English traders travelled along the north-east passage. At the same time
Ortelius has just learned that the map of Moscovia has been printed in London by a king's
printer, Reginald Wolf. Twenty-five copies of the map in question have been sent to him by
Nicolaus Reinoldus to Antwerp, what the latter mentions in his letter. One of the copies has
been assigned to be remade in the form of rendition and to fit the size by Ortelius' new Atlas
“Theatrum Orbis Terrarum” , first edition ( 1570).
2. The map itself, its author, his travels and the differences among the
genuine copy and its renditions. The importance of its recovery
The map of Moscovia - today's western Russia, by Anthony Jenkinson with the 1562 date is
hand-colored copper-cut and it measures 101,7 x 81,7 cm including 6 cm decorative border.
It is considered by historians as a wall map and has been made in the north orientation.
 
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