Note 104 — Chapter V · Globes Constructed in the Early Years of the Great Geographical Discoveries

The itemized statement of expenses, delivered to the Nürnberg Council by George Holzschuher, was first published by Peitz, J. (In: Mitteilungen des Vereins für die Geschichte der Stadt Nürnberg, Heft 6. Nürnberg, 1886.) It is of sufficient interest in the history of globe making to be cited here. The translation is Ravenstein’s, pp. 111-112. “Expenditure on the globe. Expenditure, Nürnberg, August 26, 1494. Below is to be found a statement of what I, George Holzschuher have expended by order of my lords of the city treasury, upon limning and otherwise, for making the ‘apple,’ or mappa mundi in the shape of a sphere, and also for making the map for the clerk’s office, which Mr. Marten Beham, having expended thereon his art and pains, left behind for the enjoyment of my lords of the worshipful council.

“Item first, to Glockenthon, who painted the sphere, and spent 15 weeks over it, fl. 14; to his wife, fl. 1, facit, fl. 15, lb.-dn.-(£2 10s.)

“Item paid for a loam mould over which the sphere was to have been made, as a guide for Kalberger, 28 dn.; also for linen for the first sphere, 21 dn.; also for wine and beer, and other things, for the limner’s dinner whilst painting the globe, and occasionally also for Peham; and for bread for cleansing the globe, and making it nice, fl. 1, lb. 1, dn. 16; also to Gagenhart for lettering, 16 dn.; fecit, miscellaneous expenses.

fl. 1, lb. 3, dn. 21 (14s. 5d.)

“Item paid Glockengiesser for a mould broken by Kalperger, and round which Kalperger was to have made a large sphere, both through N. Gross and M. Peham

fl. 2, lb.-, dn.- (£1.)

“Item paid for white vellum (parchment) covering the sphere, 80 dn.; also for a cover lined with skin to protect the sphere from dust, 3 lb., 20 dn.; also to the smith for two iron hoops within which the sphere revolves, 4 lb. 6 dn.; also to the joiner for wooden stand of the sphere, 4 lb. 6 dn. facit, miscellaneous expenses

fl. 1, lb. 6, dn. 10 (17s. 7d.)

“Item paid to Mr. Marten Beham for a printed mappa mundi, embracing the whole world, which was used for the globe, and is to be hung in the town office, 1 fl. 3 lb.; also for painting, etc., 1 fl.; also for lining and glueing (mounting) the same, 5 lb. 10 dn.; also to the joiner for a frame and two panels, 1 fl.; also to the starch painter for painting these panels,

4 lb. 6 dn.; facit fl. 4, lb. 4, dn. 6 (£2 5s.)

“Item, Kalperger has not been paid for making the sphere: he demands 3 fl., but owes for the linen which was used for the old tent over the ‘beautiful fountain,’ in return for which he was to have made the large sphere; he had also broken the pattern or mould for which 2 gulden (20s) had to be paid to Glockengiesser; he also promised Mr. Merten that if he taught him the art of cosmography or the laying out (planning) of the globe he would make another sphere during the time.”