One of the Earliest Maps of Brazil

"Brasil Nuova Tavola", Ruscelli, Girolamo

This is one of the earliest maps of Brazil that is available to collectors. Though most of the maps in Ruscelli's edition of Ptolemy are enlarged re-engravings of those found in the Gastaldi edition of 1548, there are four important, original maps including this one of Brazil. The map is oriented with north to the right. There are some coastal place names, but very little interior detail other than scattered rivers, mountains, forests and a large volcano. The interior is labeled Terra non Descoperta and there is a notation referring to cannibals (Gli indi natij di questi paesi mangiano carne humana). In later editions this notation is replaced with an illustration of cannibalism. This is the first state with the platemark running through the top margin. Latin text on verso.

References: Mickwitz & Miekkavaara (Nordenskiold) Vol.2 #217-62.

Condition: B+

Light toning and minor text show-through on verso with some faint spots. Short centerfold separations, confined to blank margins, have been archivally repaired.