Rare Second State of Blaeu's Stunning Carte-a-Figures Map of the Americas

"Americae Nova Tabula. Auct. Guiljel: Janssonio", Blaeu, Willem

This stunning carte-a-figures map is a superb example of the fine art of decorative cartography and a seventeenth-century European view of the New World. The coastal outlines generally follow Ortelius and Wytfliet with nomenclature from a variety of explorers and colonists. Panels at sides, each with five portraits of the native inhabitants, were taken from John White (Virginia), Hans Staden (Brazil) and other early explorer's accounts. Across the top are nine town plans including Havana, St. Domingo, Cartegena, Mexico City, Cusco, Potosi, I. la Mocha in Chile, Rio de Janeiro and Olinda in Brazil. This is one of the few maps of the Americas by this famous Dutch cartographer. The map itself is similar to Blaeu's wall map of 1608 with the additional discoveries of Henry Hudson in North America, and Tierra del Fuego with Le Maire Strait. This is the rare second state of the plate with the imprint Auct: Guiljel: Janssonio in the cartouche and the addition of Le Maire Strait. Blank verso, published between 1618-20.

References: Burden #189; Goss (Blaeu) p. 156; Tooley (Amer) p. 297; Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #9000:2.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on paper with a man in the moon watermark, light printer's ink residue, and very minor soiling. There are professional repairs to a centerfold separation that enters less than 1/2" at bottom and some tiny chips and tears along the edges of the sheet.