"Nova Hispania, et Nova Galicia", Blaeu, Willem

This is a fabulous, decorative map of the western coastal regions of Mexico. It is based on Hondius' map of 1606, which itself derives from Ortelius' 1579 map. Mexico City is situated on a large lake below the elaborate title cartouche with the Royal Spanish arms, figureheads, parrots and other adornments. Several gold and silver mines are located in the central region with a diamond shaped icon, and a central mountain range has a Latin note that there are large amounts of silver to be found there. Two sailing ships and a compass rose adorn the Pacific, and putti and armadillos frolic on the scale of miles cartouche. The map bears Willem Blaeu's signature. French text on verso.

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Condition: B

Fine, dark impression and full margins. Two diffuse foxing areas in sea at upper left, short spilt at lower centerfold restricted to the margin and a water stain in lower and upper margins.