Catalog Archive
Auction 176, Lot 273

"Nova Hispania Nova Galicia Guatimala", Montanus, Arnoldus

Subject: Mexico & Central America

Period: 1671 (circa)

Publication: De Nieuwe en Onbekende Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 11.4 inches
35.6 x 29 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

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 well-engraved map, based on the cartography of Hessel Gerritsz, includes Mexico through Costa Rica with nice detail. It also includes the U.S. Gulf coast, southwest Florida and a bit of Cuba with less detail. The large pictorial cartouche depicts Native Americans loading goods for a European merchant.

References:

Condition: A

A sharp impression on a bright sheet with a jester watermark, a tiny hole at left, and light toning along the edges of the sheet.

Estimate: $300 - $375

Sold for: $220

Closed on 2/12/2020

Archived