"La Nuova Francia", Ramusio, Giovanni Battista

This unusual map is the first map to focus on the area of New England and New France and the first to use the name Nuova Francia. Derived from the Gastaldi's 1548 regional map, the cartography is based largely on Verrazzano and Cartier's reports resulting in a curious depiction of the Hudson and St. Lawrence rivers. Newfoundland is identified as Terra Nuova, below the large Isola De Demoni, appropriately decorated with demons. The area near New York Harbor is titled Angoulesme. Long Island, which Verrazzano imagined a peninsula, is labeled Flora. Newport Bay is called Port Real and Narragansett Bay is Port du Refuge. A long, snake-like band that has also been speculated to be an early representation of the Gulf Stream marks the rich fishing banks. The map is populated with scenes of Native Americans hunting and fishing, elaborately engraved ships and fanciful sea monsters. This example is the second state, as evidenced by the addition of weeping willow trees.

References: Augustyn & Cohen pp. 18-19; Burden #25; Kershaw, #15b; McCorkle #556.1.

Condition: A

Good impression with later color. A couple of marginal tears have been professionally repaired.