This stunning, large-scale map of South America is beautifully engraved and filled with information. A baroque cartouche incorporates a river scene, an Amazon queen, exotic animals, and a treasure chest of gold and silver bars and coins. Two mythical lakes, L. Parima and Laguna de Xarayes, appear in northern and central South America respectively. On the shore of L. Parima is a note regarding the fabled town of Manoa or Del Dorado, which was believed to be the "lost city of gold." The Falklands, or Malouine Islands as named by the French, are detailed in an inset chart in the upper right corner. In the lower left, English text describes the political divisions of South America and gives a fascinating summary of its trade goods and strategic importance. For instance, of Terra Firma it is said that "The whole country abounds in Mines of Gold and Precious Stones." Another note describing the Falkland Islands comments, "As Port Egmont, is a very safe & capacious Harbour, It will become of great utility to the British Navy & even to Privateers, in any future War, to annoy the Spanish Trade in the South Sea." Printed on four sheets, with the top two and bottom two sheets joined horizontally.

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Condition: B+

Original outline color with fleur-de-lis coat of arms watermarks. There is minor offsetting. The bottom two sheets have light toning and soiling, some extraneous creasing, a small damp stain at top, and a few short archivally repaired edge tears that enter the neatline at top. The first image is a composite image - the map is in two separate sheets, joined only horizontally as described above.