"Virginiae Partis Australis, et Floridae Partis Orientalis, Interjacentiumq Regionum Nova Descriptio", 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.

This striking map of the Southeast shows the French and English claims in the region marked with their respective coats of arms. The cartography in the southern part of the map retains Le Moyne's three imaginary lakes, the largest draining through the Carolinas via the May River. While the map is nearly identical to the Blaeu/Jansson model on which it is based, the decorations are entirely original. The title cartouche is engraved onto a buffalo hide displayed by two Native Americans, and at top is a large view that illustrates a group of natives panning for gold.

References: Burden #413; Cumming (SE) #67.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression on a sheet with a jester watermark. There are short centerfold separations at top and bottom that have been professionally closed on verso, a few minor spots, and some tiny chips in the margins, most of which have been archivally repaired.