[Nautical chart of the Strait of Magellan] (1795) by UnknownNational Library of Peru
The old maps
The National Library of Peru has valuable collections of Peruvian and foreign maps from the 16th century to the 20th century. Likewise, it preserves Peruvian and European atlases from the 19th and early 20th centuries with high-quality engravings.
Map of the Magellan
One of the most valuable cartographic materials is the so-called Map of Magellan, a nautical chart of the Strait of Magellan, attributed to the Spanish cartographer Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olmedilla.
The Strait of Magellan
The Strait of Magellan is the main natural passage between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The strait is named after the navigator Ferdinand Magellan, who discovered it in 1520 during the Spanish expedition to the Moluccas.
The frustrated navigation
The Venetian navigator and cartographer Sebastián Caboto was sent, in 1526, to the Strait of Magellan to found establishments in the Plata area and help the survivors of an expedition. He did not fulfill the order, so he was blamed for disobedience.
Sent by the king
In 1526, Cabot was sent by Charles V to the Strait of Magellan to found establishments in the Plata area and help the survivors of García Jofre de Loaísa's expedition, in the Moluccas. Cabot did not attempt to cross the Pacific and for three years he skirted South America.
The Cabot's expedition
Cabot's expedition was disastrous: in 1530, only twenty (20) crew members survived. For this reason he was prosecuted and considered guilty of injustice, despotism against men and his disobedience. However, the king pardoned him and reinstated him in his position.
Map of South America
In 1544, Cabot made a world map, an engraving of which is preserved in the National Library of Paris. Later, he worked under King Edward VI of England. Upon the death of the monarch, he tried to work in Venice. It is presumed that he died in London in 1557.
[Nautical chart of the Strait of Magellan] (1795) by UnknownNational Library of Peru
Map of the Strait of Magellan
The map kept by the Library is attributed to Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olmedilla (1734-1790), Spanish geographer, cartographer, engraver and scholar of illustration. He was a member of the Academy of San Fernando and author of various maps.
The map of the Gulf of Mexico
Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olmedilla studied engraving techniques in Paris. In 1755 he published a map of the Gulf of Mexico. He was a member of the Academy of San Fernando in 1760 and an academician of merit from 1764.
A new project
In 1765, de la Cruz was commissioned to create a map of South America at a scale of 1/5,000,000. The engraving of the eight copper plates was completed in 1775; However, its printing was prohibited on the grounds of poor quality.
Later, in 1789, by order of the Count of Floridablanca, all the copies already distributed were collected.
[Nautical chart of the Strait of Magellan] (1795) by UnknownNational Library of Peru
The author, who had invested his fortune in the preparation of the work, was ruined and discredited. Shortly after, he passed away.
The use of colors or the alternating use of black and white in the Compass Rose is the result of the need for clarity and visual discrimination.
Other works by Juan de la Cruz Cano
The Charter of the coasts of the province of Buenos Aires, Plan of Belgrade, Semlin and contours, Plan of the bay of Plymouth and Hispania vetus, ad Julii Caesaris Commentary.
Heritage recovery
In 2011, the Library launched the “Lost Books Wanted” campaign with the aim of recovering bibliographic material and raising public awareness about cultural heritage. 135 volumes were recovered, including Magellan's map and the Quaderno.
Through this campaign, researchers, bibliographers, publishers, booksellers and citizens, Peruvians and foreigners, were asked to collaborate in the identification, acquisition and/or return of copies of the titles that the National Library needed to replace.
The Quaderno, and other works such as the Opera omnia, by Virgil, and the manuscript Tractatus Theologia de divini verbi salutari incarnado, were some of the bibliographic-documentary materials returned within the framework of the campaign.
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