This is one of the most famous maps of America, and one that had enormous influence on the future cartography of the New World. Frans Hogenberg engraved this map, and it is primarily based on Gerard Mercator's great multi-sheet world map of 1569. The most recognizable features of the map are the bulbous Chilean coastline and the exaggerated breadth of the North American continent. In North America a lengthy St. Lawrence River reaches across the continent to nearly meet the fictitious, westward flowing Tiguas Rio. The strategically placed title cartouche hides the unknown South Pacific and therefore most of the conjectural great southern continent, which is shown attached to both New Guinea and Tierra del Fuego. This is from the uncommon first plate (second state), published in the Latin edition of 1574. This plate had a relatively short life and was published only between 1570 and 1575.

References: Burden #39.2; Van den Broecke #9.

Condition: B

Lovely old color on watermarked paper with light soiling, a vertical crease through South America, and professionally repaired centerfold separations that enter 3.5" at top and 1" at bottom into image. There are a few tiny cracks and minute holes caused by the oxidation of the green pigment both in North and South America, but the paper is still supple.