"Guinea", Blaeu, Willem

Elegantly engraved map covering the coast from Sierra Leone to Gabon. The land is filled with animals and the sea is decorated with ships and compass roses. The large title cartouche is flanked by two natives and topped by a very human-looking monkey. On the left of the title is a dedication cartouche to D. Nicolao Tulp, a famous Dutch doctor, and to the right two child-like sea creatures carry a large elephant tusk, representing the flourishing ivory trade. French text on verso describes the country, with page number 4 at upper right. Published from 1643-50.

References: Goss (Blaeu) #63; Norwich #315; Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #8700:2A.

Condition: B+

A nice impression with full contemporary color on a sheet with minor toning, some small light spots, and a printer's crease to the left of the centerfold.