The First Printed Map to Focus on New England and New France

"La Nuova Francia", Gastaldi/Ramusio

This unusual map is the first to focus on the area of New England and New France and the first to use the name Nuova Francia. Derived from the Gastaldi's 1548 regional map, the cartography is based largely on Verrazzano and Cartier's reports resulting in a curious depiction of the Hudson and St. Lawrence rivers. Newfoundland is identified as Terra Nuova, below the large Isola de Demoni, appropriately decorated with demons. The area near New York Harbor is titled Angoulesme. Long Island, which Verrazzano imagined as a peninsula, is labeled Flora. Newport Bay is called Port Real and Narragansett Bay is Port du Refuge. A long, snake-like band, speculated to be an early representation of the Gulf Stream, marks the rich fishing banks. The map is populated with scenes of Native Americans hunting and fishing, elaborately engraved ships, and fanciful sea monsters. This example is the second state, third and last edition; the first woodblock had been destroyed by a fire a year after it was made in 1556. It is can be distinguished by the evidence of woodworm in the block that left small blank areas in the printed map.

References: Augustyn & Cohen, pp. 18-19; Burden #25; Goss #8; Kershaw #15a; McCorkle #556.1; Mickwitz & Miekkavaara #641 Vol. III #4; Sabin #67741; Shirley (BL Atlases) G.RAMU-2a #5; Verner & Stuart-Stubbs #2.

Condition: A+

A sharp impression on a bright sheet of watermarked paper with remnants of hinge tape on verso.