This English map of the Americas is the earliest folio atlas map to depict California as an island, thus propagating one of the most enduring cartographic myths. It is also significant for its accurate depiction of the coast between Chesapeake and Cape Cod, and early portrayal of the English colonies, Iames Citti (Jamestown) and Plymouth. Boston and Long Island are not shown. The spurious islands of Brasil and Frisland still appear in the Atlantic. An inset map shows Greenland and Iceland. The map is the superb workmanship of the Dutch engraver, Abraham Goos. It is decorated in the popular carte-a-figures style with panels of costumed native figures at each side and vignettes of major cities at top. The figures at left represent the native people of North America, and at right the major South American tribes. The cities illustrated include Havana, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Cusco, and other important South American settlements. A number of sea monsters, flying fish and sailing ships also decorate the map. Dated in the cartouche 1626, published circa 1676 with the imprint of Basset and Chiswell in the cartouche below the title. English text on verso.

See also lot 749 for R.V. Tooley's The Mapping of America, lot 750 for Philip Burden's The Mapping of North America - A List of Printed Maps 1511-1700, and lot 754 for Glen McLaughlin's The Mapping of California as an Island that all describe this map.

References: Burden #217; McLaughlin #3; Tooley (Amer) p. 113, #5; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-2f.

Condition: B+

A nice impression on a bright, watermarked sheet that is lightly cockled with a centerfold separation and small hole at bottom that have been archivally repaired, with minor loss of part of the word "Streight." There is minor soiling and the margins at bottom and right have been extended to accommodate framing.