"Porto Rico", Montanus, Arnoldus

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.

Classic early view of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. Galleons and other vessels approach the harbor, which is dominated by its fortress. An elegant ribbon-style cartouche fills the sky.

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Condition: A

A dark impression on a bright sheet with faint offsetting. There are two small worm tracks and a couple of small chips all confined to blank margins.