"Portugalliae que olim Lusitania, Novissima & Exactissima Descriptio Auctore Vernando Alvaro Secco", Ortelius, Abraham

This is one of the earliest and most beautiful maps of Portugal. It is oriented with north to the right and richly adorned with two large cartouches, sailing ships and a very devilish-looking sea monster. The map is based on Fernando Alvarez Secco's map of 1560. The cartouche at bottom contains a dedication to Cardinal Camerlengo, Guido Ascanius Sfortia, from Secco that enumerates the great achievements of Portugal. Dutch text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #26.

Condition: B+

Lovely old color on watermarked paper with light damp stains in blank margins, barely entering map at corners. French manuscript writing on verso opposing the Dutch text.