"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 imprint in the key and distance scale cartouche. Latin text on verso.

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Condition: B+

Wide margins with a few light stains and a small spot in lower cartouche. A centerfold separation at bottom just enters map border and has been partially closed on verso with archival tape. Some soiling in blank margins.