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Signature of Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan

Magellan's own handwritten signature, one of the few surviving traces of his personal hand from the documents he signed.

Magellan's own autograph signature, one of the rare surviving marks made by his own hand.

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Black ink handwritten signature on a white background. It has large looping flourishes at the left, followed by cursive script that reads roughly as a name, and a large oval loop beneath it with a long underline stroke.
Signature of Ferdinand Magellan.

About this source

What it is

This is a reproduction of Ferdinand Magellan's autograph signature, taken from one of the few surviving documents he personally signed. It shows his name written in looping cursive strokes.

Why it matters

Very few objects connect us directly to Magellan himself — most of what we know comes from accounts written by others, like his companion Antonio Pigafetta. A signature is rare physical proof that he held a pen and signed his name, linking him to the official paperwork of his famous voyage.

Look closer

  • What does the style of the signature suggest about how people of this period were taught to write?
  • Why might a signature survive even when a portrait from life does not?
  • What kinds of documents might someone like Magellan have needed to sign?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Ferdinand Magellan on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Front cover of a black leather bound book with gold-tooled decorative border, a small gold central stamp showing a dragon or wolf-like creature above a gold initials monogram reading 'J.C.B.' with a banner above it.Book

Secondary source

De Moluccis Insulis

Maximilianus Transylvanus · 1523

Interior of a domed shrine. A tall dark wooden cross with an INRI plaque stands on a pale stone pedestal bearing a plaque reading Magellan's Cross, with flowers at its base. The dome has painted scenes of historical figures and a cross; arched windows and an open door are visible.Artifact

Secondary source

Magellan's Cross

planted April 1521; present cross 1835

A small figure of the Christ Child crowned with a gold crown, wearing rich red and gold embroidered robes and a jeweled silver-and-gold pedestal base, displayed in a gilded niche with a golden backdrop.Sculpture

Primary source

Santo Niño de Cebú

1519

Oil painting of a bearded man in a dark cap and dark robe with a red and white cross medal on his chest, holding a rolled white document in his right hand against a dark background.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Ferdinand Magellan

Unknown, after the school of Ángel Broncino

Manuscript page in brown ink on aged paper, Archivo General de Indias, Contaduría 425, with handwritten Spanish text headed 'Relación del sueldo' listing wages for captains and crews of the ship Victoria and company, with a dark circular ink blot near the top center and a stamp at lower left.Document

Primary source

Documento original sobre la espedición de Magallanes

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