"Nova Hispania Nova Galicia Guatimala", Montanus, Arnoldus

Montanus' work was perhaps the greatest illustrated book on the New World produced in the seventeenth century. It contained over one hundred beautifully engraved plates, views, and maps of North and South America. The plates vividly depict forts, festivals, occupations, Dutch fleets, battles, religious rites, and customs of the native inhabitants. This important work was translated into German by Olivier Dapper, and into English by John Ogilby. Several of the plates were later acquired by Pierre Vander Aa.

This well-engraved map, based on the cartography of Hessel Gerritsz, includes Mexico through Costa Rica with nice detail. It also includes the U.S. Gulf coast, southwest Florida and a bit of Cuba with less detail. The large pictorial cartouche depicts Native Americans loading goods for a European merchant.

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Condition: B+

A crisp impression on watermarked paper with attractive color, light offsetting at top, minor soiling, a small stain along neatline at right, and a couple of minute worm holes only visible when held to light. Narrow top margin as issued.