Breve Compendio de la Sphera y de la Arte de Navegar

Breve Compendio de la Sphera y de la Arte de Navegar

The treatise, whose full title translates to “Brief Compendium of the Globe and the Art of Navigation” in English, is usually referred to simply as Arte de Navegar. It was written by Cádiz native Martín Cortés de Albacar (1510–1582) and published on May 27th, 1551 in the Seville printing house of Antón Álvarez. Alcabar was a Spanish cosmographer whose treatise was considered to be the standard navigational textbook in the 16th century. The practical codex concisely described navigation, cosmography, and solving problems related to magnetic declination as well as models for various instruments. These include the first known description of a Nocturnal, which allows one to calculate the local time at night based upon the relative positions of at least two stars, and instructions for making and using a mariner’s astrolabe, which determines latitude. All of this is explained in easily legible Gothic script and is adorned by clear, precise woodcuts. The work went on to enjoy numerous translations, with the 1561 English translation by the alchemist Richard Eden (ca. 1520–1576) enjoying particular popularity, appearing in at least six editions, and representing the first formal navigational work in English. Thus, the Spanish original at hand was of importance not only for the land of its origin, but had a significant impact on sailors and navigators across Europe.