Subject: Mexico
Period: 1640 (circa)
Publication: Atlas Novus
Color: Hand Color
Size:
19.5 x 15 inches
49.5 x 38.1 cm
This is a fabulous, decorative map of the western coastal regions of Mexico. It is based on Hondius' map of 1606, which itself derives from Ortelius' 1579 map. Mexico City is situated on a large lake below the elaborate title cartouche with the Royal Spanish arms, figureheads, parrots and other adornments. Several gold and silver mines are located in the central region with a diamond shaped icon, and a central mountain range has a Latin note that there are large amounts of silver to be found there. Two sailing ships and a compass rose adorn the Pacific, and putti and armadillos frolic on the scale of miles cartouche. The map bears Willem Blaeu's signature. French text on verso.
References:
Condition: B
Fine, dark impression and full margins. Two diffuse foxing areas in sea at upper left, short spilt at lower centerfold restricted to the margin and a water stain in lower and upper margins.