The Rose of the Winds: The Origin and Development of the Compass-Card (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Silvanus Phillips Thompson

 
9781332191796: The Rose of the Winds: The Origin and Development of the Compass-Card (Classic Reprint)

Synopsis

Trace the origin and evolution of the compass-card and its windrose, the tools that steered explorers across oceans for centuries.

This book delves into the history of the compass-rose, from early floating needles to pivoted cards, and how sailors and mapmakers shaped each other. It surveys a wide range of historical charts, highlighting how color, initials, and symbols conveyed winds, directions, and navigational cues. Rich plate illustrations illuminate different national styles and the appearance of roses in major maritime atlases from the medieval to early modern periods.

  • How compass cards and sailing charts influenced each other as navigation evolved.
  • Different types of windroses, their symbols, colors, and regional variations.
  • Key historical examples and plates that show the progression of the design.
  • Insights into the cultural and practical context of early cartography and seafaring.

Ideal for readers interested in the history of navigation, cartography, and the science of compasses.

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