The World For a King: Pierre Desceliers' Map of 1550 Hardcover – December 15, 2015

I first saw a glimpse of the map in a recent National Geographic. Loved the map, was looking for a unique map with a lot of detail for my one wall. The book itself is large and beautiful. I was a little disappointed that it was shipped just in a cardboard box- it was left on my porch that has access to rain and the box was soaked, thank god another item was shipped with it and wrapped in plastic and on top of the bare book inside the box otherwise it would've been ruined. I'd expect some plastic wrap/packaging for something like this. Regardless, the book was nice but I really got it for the map. Now that map is beautiful and reproduced in perfect detail, however, it just wasn't the right size for me. I think it needs to be reproduced in an even bigger size to do the images and text of the map justice. I ended up returning (the process was easy and quick). Not taking any stars off because the book and map were beautiful just not quite what I was in need of.

I am an avid collector and researcher of old maps and Chet Van Duzer's book on the Desceliers' map is EXCELLENT! The depth and quality of research is impressive. The quality of the images are also excellent. These maps have not received this depth of analysis and research until this book. Van Duzer explores and compares many related cartographic efforts, including the Morgan Library Atlas, Waldseemuller's Carta Marina (1516), Giovanni Vespucci's world map of 1526, Jean Rotz's Boke of Idrography (1542), Guillaume Brouscon's world map of 1543, the Harleian map (1542-4), Nicolas Desliens's world map (1541) and the Vallard Atlas (1547) in addition to the three world maps by Desceliers (1546, 1550, 1553). Again, all if the maps are displayed with excellent quality and resolution. Attached to this book is a both a full-size reproduction of the 1550 world map, a transcription of all of the map's legends and a removable facsimile with commentaries.

I bought it for my husband and he seemed pleased with it.

Here is a work of art and historical wonder. For everyone who loves books, maps, historical stories rarely heard- this one's for you. Beautifully rendered.

Excellent book throughout. The illustrations are wonderful. A great additions to history of cartography during theRebaissabce.