This is one of the earliest and most beautiful maps of Portugal. It is oriented with north to the right and richly adorned with two large cartouches, sailing ships and a very devilish-looking sea monster. The map is based on Fernando Alvarez Secco's map of 1560. The cartouche at bottom contains a dedication to Cardinal Camerlengo, Guido Ascanius Sfortia, from Secco that enumerates the great achievements of Portugal. This is from the original plate. Latin text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #26.

Condition: B+

Full original color on watermarked paper with light soiling and toning. There are archival repairs to a couple of tiny holes near the center of the image, a short separation along the centerfold at bottom, and a tear that enters 1.5" into image at bottom adjacent to the centerfold.