Catalogue of Watermarks in Italian Printed Maps, ca. 1540-1600

Woodward David

This catalogue presents over three-hundred photographic images of watermarks found in Italian printed maps of the sixteenth century. Such watermarks are essential tools in identifying paper moulds and are part of the evidence that bibliographers use in dating the paper on which maps and other documents were printed. The images reproduced in the catalogue have been selected from some 1200 beta-radiographs of watermarks gathered from Italian printed maps issued mostly in composite atlases printed in Venice and Rome between 1540 and 1600. These beta-radiographs reveal minute variations that are almost invisible to the eye. A special feature of the book is a visual index of miniature black-and-white line tracings of the watermarks.

Fifteen years in the making, this catalogue will be an essential reference for bibliographers and archivists dealing with rare books and maps of the period, for map collectors, map librarians, and scholars and librarians working with early printed items and manuscripts.

Contents:

Introduction
Explanation of entries
Abbreviations
References to introduction and catalogue
Catalogue
Man
Hand, no. 1
Man (general), nos. 2-27
Negro (head), nos. 28-31
Angel, no. 32
Woman
Justice, no. 33
Animal
Bear, no. 34
Horse, nos. 35-36
Lion (general), nos. 37-41
Lion of St. Mark, nos. 42-45
Paschal lamb, nos. 46-50
Stag 51-53, nos.
Bird
Eagle, single-headed, nos. 54-76
Goose, nos. 77-83
Peacock, nos. 84-85
Bird (unidentified), no. 86
Mythical figures
Mermaid (siren), nos. 87-94
Flowers
Fleur-de-lys (Heraldry), nos. 95-118
Tulip, nos. 119-125
Trees; shrubs; creepers
Deciduous tree, nos. 126-135
Grapes, no. 136
Sky, Earth, Water
Crescent(s), nos. 137-145
Mountain, nos. 146-147
Star (six radii), nos. 148-151
Sun 152
Buildings, parts of buildings
Tower(s); (castles), nos. 153-155
Transport, vehicles
Bent Anchor, nos. 156-182
Bollard, nos. 183-184
Wheel, spoked, nos. 185-186
Defense and arms
Arrows, nos. 187-201
Bow, no. 202
Crossbow, nos. 203-220
Shield, nos. 221-229
Tools, equipment, clothing
Anvil, nos. 230-232
Hat, nos. 233-237
Ladder, nos. 238-257
Musical instruments
Horn with baldric, no. 258
Insignia of rank, mace, sceptre, jewelry
Crown, nos. 259-285
Heraldry, coat of arms, mason's marks, merchant's marks
Flag, no. 286
Geometrical figures
Circles, no. 287
Rhombus (lozenge), nos. 288-296
Individual letters 297-335
Graphic index

About the Author

David Woodward (1942-2004) was the Arthur H. Robinson Professor of Geography Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he taught for more than twenty years. Along with the late J. B. Harley, he was founding editor of the History of Cartography Project. In 2002, the Royal Geographical Society honored him with the Murchison Award for his lifelong contribution to the study of the history of cartography.

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