"Paraquaria Vulgo Paraguay. Cum Adjacentibus", Montanus/Ogilby

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 fine map, based on Blaeu's rare map of the region, shows the mountains, rivers, forests and settlements. Good interior detail covers Uruguay with part of present-day Argentina and the Rio de la Plata. Buenos Aires is but a tiny X on the chart. A great title cartouche is surrounded by natives in ceremonial costumes and weaponry with animals, and another cartouche is flanked by putti. Ships and sea battles embellish the ocean.

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Condition: B+

A dark impression with light offsetting and toning, marginal soiling, and a few printer's creases adjacent to the centerfold.