"Granata Nova et California", Wytfliet, Cornelis

This is the first printed map to focus on California and the American Southwest, from the first atlas devoted entirely to maps of the Americas. The basis of this map is taken from Petrus Plancius's influential world map of 1592, including the error in naming the Tropicus Capricorni instead of the correct Tropic of Cancer. The most notable feature of the map is the location of the legendary seven cities of Cibola, Septem civitatum Patria, shown surrounding a lake, out of which flows a river that empties into the Mar Vermeio or Gulf of California. The information on the map is from Spanish sources including the narrative of Fray Marco de Niza in 1539 and the account of a rescue party led by Antonio de Espego in 1582.

References: Burden #106; Heckrotte #7; Wheat (TWM) #29.

Condition: A

Nice impression. Professional repair of worming in lower, blank margin.