Greneland [Spitsbergen]

PURCHAS, Rev. Samuel

Published by London, 1625

300 x 340 mm., with tight margin along the left side from binding. One small split upper left with slight loss, another from a stitch lower left. Although labelled 'Greneland' this map depicts Spitsbergen in the arctic. This reflects early English belief that the two were connected somewhere at more northern latitudes. English interest was awakened following Henry Hudson's voyage during which he noted an abundance of whales. It is flanked by whaling scenes at the sides and bottom. Samuel Purchas was a collector of records of voyages, theologian and author. The map is found in his 'Purchas His Pilgrimes .â ¦' published in London by Henry Featherstone. It was a huge collection of records of voyages, many of which appear for the first time. This map accompanies the account of Robert Featherby who in 1613 accompanied the fleet of Benjamin Joseph to Spitsbergen. The following year 1614 he commanded a voyage on behalf of the Muscovy Company to nearby waters. There were a total of ten ships and two pinnaces one of which carried William Baffin. According to Purchas the map is attributed to Thomas Edge, a captain who made a number of whaling voyages to the region. The west coast depiction is derived from a similar map by Hessel Gerritsz from 1613. The images surrounding the map were most probably derived from Fotherby's watercolours, the 'Seamorses' refer to whales and walruses. Pool (2011) in IMCoS Journal no. 121 35-42; Schilder (2013) pp. 372-3; Shirley 'Atlases in the British Library' G.Pur 1a no. 43 (incorrectly identifying the map as Greenland); Wieder, F.C. (Spitsbergen) 45. Seller Inventory # 4114

Bibliographic Details

Title: Greneland [Spitsbergen]
Publisher: London
Publication Date: 1625
Binding: No binding