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One of the world’s rarest maps -- a massive print from 1602 showing the world with China as its center -- will soon be on permanent display at the University of Minnesota.

Historic map coming to Minnesota | MPR NewsMenuMPR NewsMPR NewsSectionsDownMembersDownMoreDownGive NowMPR NewsMPR NewsClose MenuMPR News CoverageAgingArtsBooksEducationEnvironmentHealthHousingMinnesotaPhotosPoliticsRaceWeatherMPR News ProgramsMorning EditionAll Things ConsideredMPR News with Angela DavisMinnesota NowMPR News with Kerri MillerIn FocusTalking VolumesMore programsMPR News ResourcesProgram ScheduleStation directoryPodcastsArchiveMember InfoMember benefitsSustaining membershipContact UsBecome a memberMore ways to giveGive a gift membershipLeadership CircleDonate a vehicleEmployer matching giftsPlanned GivingDonate stockMPR ServicesMPR NewsThe CurrentClassical MPRRadio HeartlandLocal CurrentChoral ClassicalMPR InformationAbout MPRContact InfoCareersCompany InformationStationsStaff DirectoryPressEventsShop27°LocationGet GeolocationMSPSearchOn Air0:000:00HeadphonesListen LivePop OutOpen In PopupMinnesota Now with Cathy WurzerPlayPlayPausePauseHistoric map coming to MinnesotaMadeleine BaranSt. Paul, Minn. December 16, 2009 4:53 PMPlayListenMPR's Tom Crann talks with Ford W. BellShareTwitterTwitterFacebookFacebookMailEmailA section of Matteo Ricci's 1602 "Impossible Black Tulip," a massive map showing the world with China at its center, which will be on display at the University of Minnesota early next year.Image courtesy of the James Ford Bell TrustOne of the world's rarest maps -- a massive print from 1602 showing the world with China as its center -- will soon be on permanent display at the University of Minnesota. The James Ford Bell Trust announced this week that it has acquired the "Impossible Black Tulip," the first map in Chinese to show the Americas, from a London books and maps dealer for $1 million. Only six copies of the map remain and several are in poor condition. "These opportunities don't present themselves very often," said Ford W. Bell, president of the American Association of Museums and a trustee for the James Ford Bell Trust, in an interview with MPR's All Things Considered. "This map was the only one on the market, and the only one likely to be on the market. So we had to take advantage of that opportunity."The cartographer Matteo Ricci created the map, which is 5 feet high and 12 feet wide, at the request of the Chinese emperor, who wanted the document to serve as a resource for explorers and scholars. Ricci, a Jesuit priest, was among the first Westerners to travel to China."This is a great collaboration between East and West," Bell said. "It really is a very clear example of how trade was a driving force behind the spread of civilization."The Library of Congress will display the map for the first time in North America on Jan. 12, where it will be scanned to create a permanent digital image available to scholars. The map will then travel to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for a brief exhibition, before moving to its permanent home at the James Ford Bell Library at the University of Minnesota in the spring.GalleryFullscreen SlidePrevious Slide3 of 3A closeup portion of of Matteo Ricci's 1602 "Impossible Black Tulip" map showing North America.Image courtesy of the James Ford Bell Trust1 of 3A section of Matteo Ricci's 1602 "Impossible Black Tulip," a massive map showing the world with China at its center, which will be on display at the University of Minnesota early next year.Image courtesy of the James Ford Bell Trust2 of 3The entire "Impossible Black Tulip" map is 12 feet wide by 5 feet long, and is displayed in six separate panels.Image courtesy of the James Ford Bell TrustNext SlideMPR News is Reader FundedBefore you keep reading, take a moment to donate to MPR News. Your financial support ensures that factual and trusted news and context remain accessible to all. Donate Today HeartProviding Support for MPR.Learn MoreProgram ScheduleStation DirectoryAbout MPR NewsMPR News PodcastsCheck out MPR News podcasts. We have daily updates from Minnesota Today and Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer, in-depth conversations about life in our state with MPR News with Angela Davis, plus Climate Cast and more.All PodcastsRightConnect with usTwitter @MPRNewsFacebook Facebook [email protected] Tips: 651-290-1424Subscribe to email newslettersWhere to ListenProgram ScheduleStation DirectoryAudio HelpListen LiveAdditional InformationAbout Minnesota Public RadioContact UsShopBecome a MemberVolunteerFundraising CredentialsTerms of useYour privacy rightsStation outage information© 2023 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved. Weather data provided by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK.