"Portugalliae que olim Lusitania, Novissima & Exactissima Descriptio, Auctore Vernando Alvaro Secco", Ortelius, Abraham

This is one of the earliest and most beautiful maps of Portugal. It is oriented with north to the right and richly adorned with two large cartouches, sailing ships and a very devilish-looking sea monster. The map is based on Fernando Alvarez Secco's map of 1560. The cartouche at bottom contains a dedication to Cardinal Camerlengo, Guido Ascanius Sfortia, from Secco that enumerates the great achievements of Portugal. This is from the original plate. Latin text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #26.

Condition: B+

Full original color on watermarked paper with light soiling and toning. There are archival repairs to a couple of tiny holes near the center of the image, a short separation along the centerfold at bottom, and a tear that enters 1.5" into image at bottom adjacent to the centerfold.