Subject: Colonial Southeast
Period: 1628 (circa)
Publication: Gerardi Mercatoris Atlas sive Cosmographicae
Color: Hand Color
Size:
19 x 13.5 inches
48.3 x 34.3 cm
A stunning map compiled from John White's Virginia and Jacques le Moyne's Florida as interpreted by Theodore de Bry. Largely due to the enormous success of this atlas, Le Moyne's erroneous depiction of a large inland lake (Lacus aquae dulcis) from which the R. de May (St. John's River) flows in a southeasterly direction was popularized. Chesapeake Bay, here called Chesepioock Sinus, and the area south towards C.S. Romano Hispanis are shown in their White delineations. The Indian villages of Paquiwok, Croatoan, and Wococon are named in the Outer Banks and several others along the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. The map is extensively decorated with depictions of Indian villages incorporated in the title cartouche, a Floridian king and queen and Virginian natives in a canoe taken from De Bry, wildlife including a wild turkey, ships, sea monsters and a superb compass rose. French text on verso.
References: Burden #151; Cumming #26; Williams & Johnson #3.
Condition: A+
This is a superb example with a great impression and original color in Hondius' distinctive color palette. There is minimal soil in the wide original margins, well away from the map.