Norway’s Legendary and Ship-Swallowing “Moskestraumen”

CORONELLI, Vincenzo.

“Voragine di Moskestroom” and “Onde formate dalla Voragine di Moskestrom” [“Vortex of Moskestroom” and “Waves formed by the Vortex of Moskestroom”].

Venice, Vincenzo Coronelli, 1690.

Engraved sheet (49.6 x 35.4 cm, plate mark of frame 43.9 x 26.9 cm, platemark of upper image 13.4 x 17.3 cm, platemark of lower image 13.3 x 17.4 cm). Two black and white copper engravings on one leaf. Printed with three separate copper plates, one for each image and one for the frame of alternating lilies and scallops. Small marginal tear not affecting the printed surface; old paper reinforcement on left margin. Generally excellent.

This rare copper engraving captures the tumultuous waters of the “Moskestraumen”, a legendary system of tidal eddies and massive waves found off the Norwegian coast. Known historically as a voragine or vortex, this phenomenon has captivated observers for millennia. The two images originally appeared in Coronelli’s Atlante Veneto, nel quale si contiene la descrittione geografica, storica, sacra, profana, e politica, degl’ universo, published in Venice in 1690.        

While the engraving offers a dramatic—and arguably exaggerated—visual representation, the maelstrom’s reputation is rooted in antiquity. It was first documented over 2,000 years ago by the Greek explorer Pytheas and has since served as a staple of nautical cartography, often accompanied by dire warnings and tales of its ship-swallowing power.

The Friar Vincenzo Maria Coronelli (1650–1718) was the official cosmographer to the Venetian Republic and to the King of France. He was a prolific writer and publisher of atlases and travel books. He is best remembered for founding the world’s first geographical society and for constructing monumental globes for Louis XIV, as well as his masterwork atlas, the Atlante Veneto.

Price: $375.00