Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and AstronomyStevenson, Edward Luther
History
Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and Astronomy
Stevenson, Edward Luther
Geography -- History; Globes
Mattheus Seutter (1678-1756) was a map and globe maker of this period,
whose activities centered in the city of Augsburg.[142] His early
training as engraver was received in the establishment of Johann
Baptista Homann in the city of Nürnberg, but in the year 1707 he
established himself in his native city, Augsburg, setting up an
independent business for the production of maps, globes, and
mathematical instruments. Seutter holds his place in the history of
cartography not so much by reason of the high quality of the work done
as by reason of the quantity.[143] The number of maps, large and
small, battle plans and city plans, charts geneological, chronological,
and heraldic, which he published may be counted by the hundreds, the
majority being modified copies of maps and charts which others had
previously issued. As a reward for the dedication of his large atlas to
the Emperor Charles VI, issued in the year 1725, he was named “Imperial
Geographer,” a title which had been held by Homann until his death in
the year 1727.
Following the practice of the more prominent map makers of the period,
Seutter turned his attention to globe construction, and not a few
examples of his work can still be found. Some of his globes were of
large size, having a diameter of about 160 cm. The terrestrial as well
as the celestial globe balls he covered with twelve engraved sections,
or twice twelve, these being cut at the line of the equator, and at
latitude sixty-seven both north and south, the polar space being
covered, as was usual, with a circular cap or disc. The mountings of
these globes consist of a wooden meridian circle and a graduated wooden
horizon circle, having each on the upper surface the usual concentric
rings with the names of the months, the names and signs of the zodiacal
constellations, and the names of the principal winds, the whole being
supported by two semicircles attached below to a single columnar base 28
cm. in length. A brief author legend reads, “Globus terrestris juxta
recentissimas observation: et navigation: peritissimor: Geograph:
delineat. cura et sumptibus Matth. Seutteri Calcogr: August.”
“Terrestrial globe according to the most recent observations and voyages
of the most skilled geographers. Made by the labor and at the expense of
Mattheus Seutter renowned engraver.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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