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.

A dramatic bird's-eye view of old Santo Domingo with its cathedral, the Ozama fortress and other monuments clearly identifiable. Numerous ships, both European and native, are shown in the harbor and river. Santo Domingo is the oldest European city in the Americas, having been founded in 1498 by Bartholomew Columbus. It is shown here at the height of its importance as the hub of Spanish colonial activities in the New World. Since the map was trimmed to the neatline and backed, we are unable to determine if the map is attributable to Montanus or John Ogilby.

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Condition: B

Trimmed to the neatline all around and pasted onto a sturdy sheet with borders drawn in facsimile. There is a repaired 2" tear to the left of the mid-centerfold, light stains at left, and a bit of foxing at upper right.