This finely engraved sheet includes two separately engraved maps, each surrounded by an elaborate picture-frame style border, which was printed from a separate plate. Van der Aa's maps with the separately printed frame borders are much more uncommon than the standard editions without these decorative borders, and sheets containing two of these maps are quite scarce indeed. The top map covers nearly all of Mexico and Central America to northern Costa Rica. The map depicts the new conquests made by the Spanish in Mexico and Central America, and is filled with place names and topographical details. A lovely pictorial cartouche depicts a conquistador subjugating two natives on the left, and Neptune riding his chariot along the coastline on the right, with a spouting whale and ships in the background. The bottom map shows Brazil with particularly good detail along the coastline and in the capitanias. The interior includes notations on the various Indian inhabitants, mineral deposits and river systems. The map is decorated with a fine title cartouche representing the wealth of the region.

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Condition: A

A sharp impression with full original color that has been partially refreshed and wide margins. There are a few minor spots of foxing. Overall an excellent example of this uncommon sheet.