S6 Ep5: Waldseemüller: Armchair Explorer with Chet Van Duzer

Jerry speaks to esteemed map historian and author Chet Van Duzer. As well as having written many books on maps and map motifs, Chet is the Associate Director of the Lazarus Project at the University of Rochester, which brings multispectral imaging - a technology for recovering information from damaged manuscripts - to cultural institutions around the world

In this episode, Jerry and Chet discuss a monumental world map from 1516 that has been subject to an indepth investigation by Chet: Martin Waldseemüller’s Carta Marina. Published just nine years after his landmark 1507 map of the world (known as the ‘birth certificate of America’), the Carta Marina is an extraordinary map that exists in one surviving copy at the Library of Congress.

Together Jerry and Chet talk about why Waldseemüller revised his world map so thoroughly, what sources he used and why. We also hear about how Chet himself became immersed in the world of maps, and how his current role as Director of the Lazarus Project sees him shining a (multi-spectral) light on some great cartographic mysteries.

Follow along with this episode at oculi-mundi.com/chet-van-duzer

From historians, scientists and writers, to creatives and cultural custodians, people have used maps as a source of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration for centuries.

Join us as map historian Jerry Brotton invites each guest to share a map close to their heart - and unfurl the ideas, inspirations, and personal stories behind it.

If you’re fascinated by history, art, adventure and culture, why not become part of a global community of fellow explorers as we ask - what’s YOUR map?

The award-winning What’s Your Map? is brought to you by Oculi Mundi (‘eyes of the world’), the online home of The Sunderland Collection of antique cartography.

For a fully immersive experience, visit Oculi-Mundi.com/podcast to explore each of the maps as you listen, and find more information and rabbit-holes about each guest.

Image detail: Public Domain, via the Library of Congress. Portrait courtesy of Chet Van Duzer.

All views and opinions expressed by guests on the podcast are entirely their own and do not represent those of The Sunderland Collection or Whistledown Productions.