"Isola Spagnuola", Ramusio, Giovanni Battista

This excellent early map of Hispaniola was derived from the rare 1534 map by Peter Martyr. Hispaniola was the center of activity in the New World during the early part of the sixteenth century, and this map relates its importance by showing several settlements. The surrounding sea is filled with sailing ships and sea monsters. This example is from the second block, with added decorative elements. The first block was destroyed in a fire at the printing establishment of Thomaso Guinti shortly after its publication in 1556. Italian text on verso.

References: Mickwitz & Miekkavaara #641, Vol. III #1.

Condition: A

There is very faint dampstaining in the map image.