1572 / 1590 Descrittione del l'Isola di S. Giovanni detta Borichen.
An excellent example of one of the earliest obtainable maps of Puerto Rico. This map, originally issued by Thomaso Porcacchi in 1572 was published in the 1590 edition of this landmark atlas of Islands, L'isole piu famose del mondo...
The map, though somewhat crude in its depiction of the shape of the island offers several place names including San Germán the oldest city of Puerto Rico and San Juan, noted on this map as S. Giouanni. The map includes part of Cuba, St. Croix and an archipelago in the location of the Virgin Islands. It is embellished with four sea monsters, a decorative compass rose, and title cartouche.
Italian text describes the Puerto Rico with 16th century information below the map and continues on the verso.