Catalog Archive
Auction 159, Lot 202

One of the Earliest Obtainable Maps of Florida & the Southeast

"Florida et Apalche", Wytfliet, Cornelis

Subject: Southern United States

Period: 1597 (circa)

Publication: Descriptionis Ptolemaicae Augmentum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
11.3 x 9.1 inches
28.7 x 23.1 cm
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From the first printed atlas relating exclusively to America, this is one of only three 16th century printed maps of this region. Most of the information is derived from the Spanish explorations of Hernando de Soto, Cabeza de Vaca, and Moscoso. It is largely based on the Ortelius/Chaves map of 1584, but expanded to include parts of Cuba and the Bahamas and further north to show the territory of the legendary Apalche. The Florida peninsula is also presented in a more rectangular shape with a pronounced 'neck' at the top of the peninsula. The distorted Mississippi River is here called the Rio de Spirito Santo, the name given to it by the Spanish.

References: Burden #104; Cumming #18; Martin & Martin p.75, #6.

Condition: B

The map is toned overall with some faint foxing. There is some bleed through of the color on the verso. Two worm tracks in the bottom blank margin have been patched.

Estimate: $1,600 - $2,000

Sold for: $1,400

Closed on 9/14/2016

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