MERCATOR (KREMER), GERHARD: MAP OF FRIULI, CARNIOLA, ISTRIA AND WINDISH MARK
Inventory number 188
Original title: Forum Julii, Karstia, Carniola, Histria et Windorum Marchia
Publishing year: 1632
Place of publishing and publisher: Amsterdam
Format: 18 x 24,5 cm
Technique: Copper engraving
This is the re-print of the homonym map by Mercator included in his noted work “Atlas sive cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi rt fabricati figura” published in Duisburg in 1595. Johannes Everhardus Clopenburg, printer from Amsterdam published between 1630 and 1636 several editions of Mercator's small atlas (Atlas Minor), amongst which this one too, dated 1632. From the original made by Mercator, this map defers only in its artistic design. While the original has a meticulously executed mannerist cartouche, the cartouche on this map is much simpler featured in the shape of drape containing the title and the scale). The representation of Istria shows considerable deformities and place names are scarce. Amongst the hydrographical phenomena the lake of Cerkniškog jezera (Czircnizer See is dominant feature. It is obvious that the author was much more acquainted with the Friulian rivers then with those flowing through the Istrian region, while the islands Sveti Nikola (St. Nicolas islands) and Brijuni are identified only by their names. Especially interesting is the way in which the island Cres is presented on this map as being made up of three islands: (Cherso), Beli (Cao) and Porozina (Perosino). The scales are in Italian miles (Miliaria Communia Italica).
MERCATOR (KREMER), GERHARD
One of the most prominent Dutch cartographers, beside Ortelius, is surely GERHARD KREMER, best known as GERHARD MERCATOR (1512-1594). In distinction from its Dutch contemporaries he produced his atlases and maps by himself. Generally, he fought methods of drawing maps upon sources consisting of somebody else's map images or written documents, while he wanted to make a map applying mathematical and geodetic principles. In 1569 he published his world map made using the projection that took his name (the projection of Mercator) - a novelty which was, in fact, the biggest Mercator's contribution to the world's cartography. His heirs published the complete version of his atlas, in 1595, entitled "Atlas sive Cosmographicae". Prior to this atlas, a number of smaller sets of maps were issued during Mercator's lifetime. Especially valuable are his maps of the New World showing new discoveries. As Mercartor gave his entire attention to the Western Europe and the New World, for drawing of the Croatian lands he was mostly using numerous older sources, which is to be seen from the inscription of medieval state and county boudaries. His maps of "Slavonia, Croatia, Bosnia cum Dalmatiae parte" and Karstia, Carniola, Histria et Windorum Marchia" show the image of the Croatian lands before the Turkish invasion. His atlas went through some forty editions.
