Plato’s tale of Atlantis is in Timaeus and Critias. It describes a powerful island kingdom beyond the Pillars of Hercules, which is the modern Strait…
The Secret Streets That Never Existed In the world of cartography, precision and accuracy are paramount. It surprises some that certain map features were never…
Introduction The story of Rupes Nigra—Latin for “Black Rock”—is a fascinating blend of early geography, medieval myth, and Renaissance cartographic imagination. Rupes Nigra was allegedly…
Here is a curated list of phantom islands that have appeared on maps throughout history. These islands never actually existed. They are known as phantom…
Valuing an antique map requires a careful consideration of a range of factors, from historical significance to physical condition. As a historian and cartographer, you…
Introduction Samuel de Champlain, often called the “Father of New France,” was a pioneering cartographer. He was also an explorer. His maps played a crucial…
The mystery of the Lost Roanoke Colony has intrigued historians and archaeologists for centuries. The “La Virginea Pars” map is central to this enigma. It…
In 1973, American geographer George Etzel Pearcy proposed a bold reconfiguration of the United States’ political landscape. Pearcy’s plan aimed to reduce the number of…
Introduction The Erdapfel, meaning “Earth Apple” in German, holds a special place in cartographic history as the first known terrestrial globe. This artifact was created…
World War II Silk Aviator’s Survival Maps During World War II, the use of specialized survival maps made from silk was an innovative tool. These…