"Provinciae Sitae ad Fretum Magallanis Itemque Fretum le Maire", Gerritsz/De Laet

This fine map is the work of Hessel Gerritsz, one of the most important Dutch cartographers of the 17th century. The map vividly depicts the important tip of South America, key to European trade with the East Indies, with the narrow and treacherous Strait of Magellan and the recently discovered Strait le Maire. The map is oriented with north on the right and it is simply embellished with a strapwork title cartouche, compass rose and banner containing three distance scales.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.LAET-1b #10.

Condition: B+

Watermarked paper with minor soiling and two short printer's creases. There are a few tiny tears and chips in top and bottom blank margins that have been archivally repaired, not affecting map. Trimmed at right and left with some loss of neatline, apparently as issued.