1642 Americae Nova Tabula
By: Willem Janszoon Blaeu
Date: 1635 (published) Amsterdam (3rd State)
Dimensions: 16 x 22 inches (40.5 x 56 cm)
This is one of the few maps of the Americas by this famous Dutch cartographer. The map itself is similar to Blaeu's wall map of 1608 with the additional discoveries of Henry Hudson in North America, and Tierra del Fuego with Le Maire Strait.
North America is divided into several large regions with very little cartographic information west of the Appalachians or north of 40 degrees latitude, including a complete absence of the Great Lakes. To fill in such a large blank space, Blaeu uses an inset map of Groenlan (Greenland), Islandia (Iceland), and the mythical island of Frislandia, which first appeared in the influential Zeno map of 1558.
The coastal outlines generally follow Ortelius and Wytfliet with nomenclature from a variety of explorers and colonists. In South America, the mythical “Parime Lacus,” can be found along the equator with the fabled golden city of Manoa or El Dorado nestled on its north shore. Cannibals depicted in Brasilia and giants in Patagonia are consistent with earlier works dating back to the 16th century by Linschoten and Munster.
Panels at sides, each with five portraits of the native inhabitants, were taken from John White (Virginia), Hans Staden (Brazil) and other early explorer's accounts. Across the top are nine inset views or maps of important cities and ports in the Americas including Havana, St. Domingo, Cartegena, Mexico City, Cusco, Potosi, I. la Mocha in Chile, Rio de Janeiro and Olinda in Brazil.
Dutch text on verso.
Condition: This map is in A condition with some light paper toning surrounding the map and a small centerfold separation at the bottom that has been closed on the verso. The map exhibits lovely hand coloring (not original) and wide margins on all sides.
Inventory #12049
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