Konrad Kretschmer's Die Entdeckung Amerikas in ihrer Bedeutung für die Geschichte des Weltbildes, published in 1892, along with its accompanying atlas, is a landmark study in the field of historical cartography and geography.
Kretschmer's detailed examination in this work focuses on the transformation of world maps and the perceptual shifts in geographic knowledge following the voyages to the New World. His research documents the integration of America into European maps and the evolution of these maps from the 15th century onwards.
The atlas accompanying the main text is particularly significant for its facsimiles of historical maps. These maps trace the evolution of European cartography and vividly illustrate the incremental changes in how the New World was perceived and represented.
Kretschmer was a notable German geographer and cartographer who lived from 1858 to 1944. He made significant contributions to historical geography and is particularly known for his work in that field. Kretschmer's research focused on exploring and detailing the development of world maps throughout history, including the contributions of medieval and ancient cartographers. His work includes a comprehensive study of early portolan charts, Die italienischen Portolane des Mittelalters: Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Kartographie und Nautik. Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Meereskunde und des Geographischen Instituts an der Universität Berlin, vol. 13. Berlin, 1909; reprinted Hildesheim: Georg Olms, 1962.