"Portugalliae que olim Lusitania, Novissima & Exactissima Descriptio, Auctore Vernando Alvaro Secco", Ortelius, Abraham

This is one of the earliest and most beautiful maps of Portugal. It is oriented with north to the right and richly adorned with two large cartouches, sailing ships and a very devilish-looking sea monster. The map is based on Fernando Alvarez Secco's map of 1560. The cartouche at bottom contains a dedication to Cardinal Camerlengo, Guido Ascanius Sfortia, from Secco that enumerates the great achievements of Portugal. This example was issued folding with a blank verso. The map appears to be identical to the third state in Oretelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum with stippling added behind the sea names.

References: cf. Van den Broecke #26.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression on a clean bright sheet. This example was issued folding with the left and right panels having been fully separated and expertly reattached on verso.