"Le Bresil, dont la Coste est Possedee par les Portugais, et Divisee en Quatorze Capitaineries...", Sanson, Nicolas

This is a reduced version of Sanson's important map showing the Portuguese possessions in Brazil. The coastal regions were divided by the Portuguese Crown into fourteen Capitaineries, or hereditary harbor offices. The holders of these grants, called donees (donatários), were responsible for their defense and development. There is also a fair amount of detail in the interior, along the major rivers. The mythical Lago de los Xarayes appears at left and the otherwise unknown interior is conveniently covered by the garland-style title cartouche. Although his imprint does not appear on this map, this map was re-engraved from Sanson's 1657 map by Antoine de Winter.

References: Pastoureau, SANSON II F.

Condition: B+

A dark impression on watermarked paper with some printer's ink residue at left. Issued folding with light offsetting.