#maplibrary

We got mail today! A facsimile of Giovanni Leardo’s 1442 Mapa Mundi is being added to the collection. If it looks familiar (check out our profile picture!), it’s becauee the oldest map in our collection is Leardo’s 1452 Mapa Mundi.

The 1442 map is held in Verona, Italy, & is the earliest of the three known Leardo works. His second map was made in 1448 & our map is the latest of the maps.

The green book that comes with the facsimile is the Letter of Prester John. The book is said to have inspired exploration in the centuries following its publication, making it a good companion piece for the map.