Portolan Chart

Portolan Chart

Author: Special Collections

Year: 1800

Lehigh University, Special Collections, Lehigh Codex 26. Unknown, A nineteenth-century forgery of a sixteenth-century chart; origin unknown; 19th century. This manuscript is a Portolan chart, most likely created in the nineteenth century as a forgery of a sixteenth century chart. This is a single parchment leaf, focused on what is currently the northern half of South America and southern North America. A bit of west Africa is seen on the far right. Current North America is labeled as Hispania Nova, with Nova Franza labeled up the east coast. Current South America is labeled Peru and Bresil. Port/city names are written along all coasts. Cuba, Hispaniola, and Bremuda are included. A painted medallion of God blessing creation flanked by two cherubs is located in the Pacific Ocean.