Kenneth Nebenzahl

A marvelous, high quality atlas issued in 1990 by Rand McNally to celebrate Columbus' first voyage to America. It consists of 168 pages and well over 50 plates showing maps and a couple of globes. The author, Kenneth Nebenzahl, is well known in map circles as a dealer and author of books pertaining to maps. He is a Life Trustee of the Newberry Library in Chicago, Newberry has a very extensive map collection. As a complete aside, if you are in Chicago for a visit, the Newberry is well worth a show more visit.

Most of the beautifully reproduced, full color maps shown are dated just prior to Columbus' voyage through the 16th century. Many have enlarged segments of maps to show detail. Some maps occupy two pages in this oversized book. Many of the plates are of maps I have not seen before. The descriptive text for each map runs about a half page to a full page in length.

In addition to the cartographic aspect of books like this, I find the graphics and art aspects fascinating. Nothing like a few sailing ships, whales and castles to enliven a map. And, the very idea of the term "terra incognita" gives me a thrill.

I can't believe that I'm the only person at the present time, among the many map fans on LibraryThing, with this atlas. I bought it in December, 2012 at a used bookstore for $12.95 in essentially new condition. A search of Amazon shows many used copies and like new books for sale at quite reasonable prices. show less

Multi-map atlas with 50 beautifully reproduced color plates from the 15th and 16th centuries, and scholarly descriptions. Published to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery in 1492.

The book is divided into four parts. Part I. includes cartographic traditions, charts and objects which may have influenced Columbus in preparing for his first voyage. Among them are a world map of Claudius Ptolemy (ca. AD 90-168) reprinted in Florence in 1574 and various nautical charts and show more portolans (pilot books).

Part II focuses on maps of Columbus and his contemporaries. Part III materials of other discoverers. Part IV. Materials showing the emergent "Colonial Era". show less