Sea Monsters The Lore and Legacy of Olaus Magnus's Marine Map

About this book

The lore and legacy of Olaus Magnuss marine map. Olaus Magnuss fantastical monster map, the Carta Marina of 1539, depicts an array of real and mythical beasts occupying the waters around the coasts of Scandinavia. This map and its accompanying commentary established Olaus as the principal historian of the sea serpent, the giant squid, and sea monsters in general. It also inspired and influenced zoologists and cartographers for centuries to come.

Sea Monsters introduces readers to Magnuss marvellous marine beasts by taking an imaginary voyage up the northern seas of his historic map with Magnus himself as guide. As each creature is encountered it is introduced by his original narrative, then presented in full-colour art before its meaning and influence are discussed and explained. With a fold-out facsimile of the original map, and keys for this map and its two most significant successors, Sea Monsters is both a visual feast and a valuable addition to cartographic research.

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