"Sinus Omnium Sanctoru", Merian, Matthaus

Impressive copper engraving of Todos os Santos Bay (All Saints Bay) in northeastern Brazil. The map depicts a large fleet of Dutch ships entering the bay and locates several battle sites. The map illustrates the region during the time when the Dutch were attempting to gain control of the Portuguese colonies in Brazil and her lucrative sugar trade. In 1624 the Dutch captured and sacked the Salvador da Bahia, and held it along with other northeast ports until it was retaken by a Spanish-Portuguese fleet. The city then played a strategically vital role in the Portuguese-Brazilian resistance against the Dutch in the 1630s. Large inset plan of Civitas S. Salvatoris (San Salvador) with a lettered key identifying important locations. The map is adorned with a ribbon-style title cartouche and two compass roses.

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Condition: B+

A nice impression on watermarked paper with light printer's ink residue, a professionally repaired 1/2" tear near center, and minor soiling.