"[On 2 Sheets] America Meridionale", Coronelli, Vincenzo Maria

Coronelli drew on many sources for his 2-sheet map of South America including several reports of voyages to which he had access. Therefore the map is considered one of the best depictions of the era. A small version of Lac de Parime is located on the equator with a notation questioning its existence. The Rio de la Plata emanates from the large Lago de Los Xaraies. The route of Dutchmen, Jacob le Maire and Willem Cornelisz Schouten, around Cape Horn and through the South Pacific is traced. This important voyage (1615-17) opened a new shipping route from the Atlantic to the Pacific and proved that Tierra de Fuego was an island and not a part of some massive southern continent. From a purely decorative point of view, the map is a superb example of the mapmaker's art. There are two large cartouches and the interior is filled with small depictions of animals and natives, including jaguars, llamas, hunters, torture scenes, and cannibalism. If joined, the map would measure approximately 35 x 24". A superb large map of the continent.

References: Shirley (Bl Atlases) T.CORO-7a #14 & 15.

Condition: A

A bright, clean example with attractive color, a couple of unobtrusive spots, and a few tiny worm tracks in the blank margins. On the western sheet there is very light offsetting and a short separation along a printer's crease at right that has been professionally repaired.