A Foundation Map for the American Southwest

"Nueva Hispania Tabula Nova", Ruscelli, Girolamo

This is a foundation map in the cartography of the American Southwest, and a must for collectors of that region. It is an enlarged version of Gastaldi's map of 1548 with the only notable change being the peninsular Yucatan. The legendary seven cities of Ciuola are prominently depicted and Mexico City is shown floating in a large lake. The place names along the upper Gulf Coast reveal the explorations of Pineda, Cabeza de Vaca and Moscosso. The Mississippi makes its appearance as the Rio de Spiritu Santo and the R. Tontonteanc flows in the vicinity of the Colorado River. Considered the earliest relatively obtainable map of Mexico and the American Southwest. This is the second state of the map according to Burden. Italian text on verso.

References: Burden #31; Martin & Martin, plt. 3; Wheat (TMW) #7; Mickwitz & Miekkavaara #220-60; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.PTOL-10e.

Condition: B+

There is light toning along the centerfold and a few small fold separations that have been closed on verso with old paper. Light scattered foxing is confined to the blank margins.