The precise draftsmanship of Battista Agnese's 1544 portolan atlas makes it one of the most important old map collections of the 16th century. Dominating these old maps is a system of "thumb" lines which center at a compass rose, representing the distance between points. Highly accurate for the time, Agnese's maps were state-of-the-art for measuring nautical distances.  Aside from their practical application, these regal navigational maps by Agnese were also produced as a luxury item for the wealthy merchant class. The heavens were adorned with curious cherubs, or wind heads, and Magellan's path around the world was painted in silver.  Antique map prints at affordable prices