This was one of the few sixteenth century maps based on Spanish sources; in this case drawing from reports of Hernando de Soto's expedition through the region. There are three maps on this sheet. The most important map, La Florida, is the first printed map of the southern portion of the United States. This influential map provided the foundation cartography for the region, particularly in the depiction of the river system. The map below, Guastecan Reg, combines with La Florida to extend the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico further south. The third is a map of Peru, where De Soto was the first Spaniard to meet Inca Emperor Atahuallpa. In the north of the map of Peru is Aurea Regio, or Kingdom of Gold, a reference to the fabled El Dorado. All maps contain decorative cartouches, and the map of Peru is embellished with two ships. Italian text on verso, published in 1608 or 1612.

See also lot 750 for Philip Burden's The Mapping of North America - A List of Printed Maps 1511-1700 that describes this map.

References: Burden #57; Cumming (SE) #5; Van den Broecke #15.

Condition: B

A crisp impression in full contemporary color with moderate toning, a 0.5" crack caused by oxidation of the green pigment that has been closed on verso with archival tape, and a 0.5" tear with an old tape stain at top left, now backed with archival tape. In the blank margins, there are a few edge tears backed with archival materials.