For practical use at sea: a magnificent map of the famous Mallorcan mapping school from 1450–1460
Portulan C.G.A.5.b
Mallorca (Spain) — 1450–1460

Portulan C.G.A.5.b
Mallorca (Spain) — 1450–1460
This map originated between 1450 and 1460 in the Majorcan school of cartography for practical use at sea
The most renowned school of geography and cartography took shape in Spain to record new discoveries
These cartographers were able to create some incredibly detailed maps without modern technical aids
Portulan C.G.A.5.b
- Portolano CGA5b
- Portolan map C.G.A.5.b
- Portolan-Karte C.G.A.5.b
Short Description
Portulan C.G.A.5.b is a map that originated between 1450 and 1460 in the Majorcan school of cartography. The chart belongs among the most important geographic material to be in existence today. What is so special about it is that it was not made for decoration, but rather as an effective navigational aid for use on the high seas.
Portulan C.G.A.5.b
In the 15th century, Spain and Portugal were the lands under whose flags the most expeditions into largely unexplored regions of the world were made. In the course of many expeditions and discoveries, the most renowned school of geography and cartography in Europe took shape in Spain. The maps, which originated during the time of the awakening Renaissance, belong among the most important geographical material of the entire Middle Ages. It is truly astounding, how true to detail and correct the Spanish and Portuguese cartographers could represent the regions of the world they studied, and completely without the modern technical aids of our time. The Portulan C.G.A.5.b is an outstanding example of the excellent work of medieval scholars.
What is a Portulan?
The term portulan or portolan originally indicated a book with nautical information such as landmarks, lighthouses, currents, and harbor conditions. According to historical sources, such sea-books already existed in the 13th century. Beginning in the 16th century, the term broadened and from then on comprised not only the written descriptions, but also the accompanying nautical maps, which were contained in books. Today, the term “portulan chart” indicate a very precise type of map. The map Portulan C.G.A.5.b is one of these special maps.
A Characteristic Map
Portulan C.G.A.5.b is a map that has distinguished itself from all the other cartographic material of its time. It has hardly any pictorial decoration, because it was not intended as decoration, but rather as an effective navigational aid. The most important trade cities of Barcelona, Valencia, Santiago de Compostela, Granada, Venice, and Genoa were emphasized in particular. The regions depicted are also recognizable by the depiction of their various flags. Similarly, fortresses, palaces, and other particularities that characterized the geographic regions and for which they were known are pictured.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Portolano CGA5b
Portolan map C.G.A.5.b
Portolan-Karte C.G.A.5.b - Type
- Map on parchment
- Size / Format
- 1 map / 90.0 x 61.0 cm
- Origin
- Mallorca (Spain)
- Date
- 1450–1460
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
3 available facsimile edition(s) of „Portulan C.G.A.5.b“
Portolano C.G.A.5.b (map in tube)
- Publisher
- Il Bulino, edizioni d'arte – Modena, 2002
- Commentary
-
1 volume
- More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Portolani (set of 3 maps in tube, includes C.G.A.5.b)
- Publisher
- Il Bulino, edizioni d'arte – Modena, 2002
- Commentary
-
1 volume
- More Information
- 3 maps in tubes
Portolani (set of 3 maps in deluxe wooden case, includes C.G.A.5.b)
- Publisher
- Il Bulino, edizioni d'arte – Modena, 2002
- Binding
- Walnut showcase and a wooden-bronze paperweight and a magnifier.
- Commentary
-
1 volume
- More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Matching Works
Atlas of Borso d'Este
Based on the knowledge of Claudius Ptolemy: one of the most magnificent cartographic works of the Renaissance for one of the richest princes of his time
Experience MoreContrafactur der Vornebster Stät der Welt
What we know about medieval cities: 90 selected cityscapes from the collection of Franz Hogenberg and Georg Braun
Experience MoreMatching Background Articles
Geography / Maps
Most of what you know about world and how you perceive geography is based on maps you have seen. Medieval maps likewise...Experience moreRenaissance
What does the word “Renaissance” bring to mind for you? Art, science, and culture of course! It was a "rebirth" and...Experience more15th Century
Come and explore an age of stark contrasts as Europe comes back from the brink: calamities like the Fall of...Experience more
- Treatises / Secular Books
- Apocalypses / Beatus
- Astronomy / Astrology
- Bestiaries
- Bibles / Gospels
- Chronicles / History / Law
- Geography / Maps
- Saints' Lives
- Islam / Oriental
- Judaism / Hebrew
- Single Leaf Collections
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Literature / Poetry
- Liturgical Manuscripts
- Medicine / Botany / Alchemy
- Music
- Mythology / Prophecies
- Psalters
- Other Religious Books
- Games / Hunting
- Private Devotion Books
- Other Genres
- Aboca Museum
- Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA)
- Aldo Ausilio Editore - Bottega d’Erasmo
- Alecto Historical Editions
- Ars Magna
- ArtCodex
- AyN Ediciones
- Bärenreiter-Verlag
- Belser Verlag
- Belser Verlag / WK Wertkontor
- Bernardinum Wydawnictwo
- BiblioGemma
- Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vaticanstadt, Vaticanstadt)
- Bibliotheca Palatina Faksimile Verlag
- Bibliotheca Rara
- CAPSA, Ars Scriptoria
- Circulo Cientifico
- Club Bibliófilo Versol
- CM Editores
- Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci
- Comissão Nacional para as Comemorações dos Descobrimentos Portugueses
- Coron Verlag
- De Agostini/UTET
- DIAMM
- E. Schreiber Graphische Kunstanstalten
- Ediciones Boreal
- Ediciones Grial
- Edilan
- Editalia
- Edition Leipzig
- Edition Libri Illustri
- Editiones Reales Sitios S. L.
- Editions Medicina Rara
- Editorial Mintzoa
- Egeria, S.L.
- Extraordinary Editions
- Facsimile Editions Ltd.
- Facsimilia Art & Edition Ebert KG
- Faksimile Verlag
- Franco Cosimo Panini Editore
- Fundación Hullera Vasco-Leonesa
- Giunti Editore
- Graffiti
- Grafica European Center of Fine Arts
- Helikon
- Herder Verlag
- Hes & De Graaf Publishers
- Hugo Schmidt Verlag
- Idion Verlag
- Il Bulino, edizioni d'arte
- Imago
- Insel Verlag
- Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani
- Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
- Kaydeda Ediciones
- La Meta Editore
- Leo S. Olschki
- Libreria Musicale Italiana
- Lumen Artis
- M. Moleiro Editor
- Manuscriptum
- Millennium Liber
- Nova Charta
- Orbis Mediaevalis
- Orbis Pictus
- Österreichische Staatsdruckerei
- Patrimonio Ediciones
- PIAF
- Popyläen Verlag
- Prestel Verlag
- Priuli & Verlucca, editori
- Pro Sport Verlag
- Pytheas Books
- Quaternio Verlag Luzern
- Reales Sitios
- Reichert Verlag
- Roberto Vattori Editore
- Salerno Editrice
- Schöck ArtPrint Kft.
- Scrinium
- Scripta Maneant
- Scriptorium
- Siloé, arte y bibliofilia
- Styria Verlag
- Tempus Libri
- Testimonio Compañía Editorial
- The Clear Vue Publishing Partnership Limited
- The Facsimile Codex
- The Folio Society
- Tip.Le.Co
- TouchArt
- Trident Editore
- Vallecchi
- Van Wijnen
- Vicent Garcia Editores
- Wiener Mechitharisten-Congregation (Wien, Österreich)
- Yushodo