Each hemisphere was printed from a separate copper plate, each with a letterpress in the neatline acknowledging printing privileges from the Papacy and the Venetian Senate (‘Cum Privilegio Summi Pont et Senat. Venet. Michaelis Tramezini Formis M. D. LIIII Julius De Musis Venet In Aes Incidit M. D. LIIII’).

This is the first and only issue of Michael Tramezzino’s double-hemisphere map making it extremely rare. It has been estimated there are less than a dozen known examples.

This sheet shows the Western Hemisphere of Tramezzino’s double hemisphere map. It pairs with a second sheet showing the Eastern Hemisphere also in The Sunderland Collection. The hemispheres are upon a 'homolographic' (or evenly drawn meridian) projection which were first described by Roger Bacon in the thirteenth century. The map is beautifully engraved by Guilio de’ Musi of Venice, and although both his and Michael Tramezzino’s names are mentioned on the work, no cartographer is named.

In the Western Hemisphere, North America and Asia are separated as in 

’s 1538 prototype, but details of the west coast and the Californian peninsula have been inserted. The serpentine east-west course of the Amazon is prominent, as is the exaggerated estuary of the Plate river; both are features which appeared on Sebastian Cabot’s map of 1544. However, unlike Cabot, an extensive southern continent has been added. This is in fact not a complete polar land mass but an extenuated island strip reaching across three-quarters of the circumference and leaving open sea to the south.

Degrees of latitude and longitude also appear, as do compass directions, and little fleurons; the map shows the equator and tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, as well as horizontal and vertical meridians based on Bacon’s projection. The oceans are decorated with beautiful galleons and other regional sailing ships.

The Sunderland Collection

This large map is the masterwork of Michael Tramezzino and forms a pair with a map of the Eastern Hemisphere also in The Sunderland Collection. Each map was printed from two copper plates to accommodate its scale. They are exquisitely engraved and technically superb.

This Western hemisphere map centres on the Pacific Ocean. The stippled oceans contain finely rendered ships, and the land masses are filled with place names and geographical features such as mountains, rivers, and lakes. The map is dedicated to Pope Julius III.

Tramezzino specialised in publishing maps not only from original sources but also reduced versions of maps originating outside Italy. Examples of Tramezzino’s Hemisphere maps are rarely found; his other cartographic works are more common and often preserve copies of now lost wall maps such as those of Jan van Deventer, which depict the provinces of the Low Countries.

The present example is one of a pair of Tramezzino’s Hemisphere maps, among the few surviving examples.

Western Hemisphere of Tramezzino's Double Hemisphere Maps