Subject: St. Helena
Period: 1589 (dated)
Publication: Itinerario
Color: Hand Color
Size:
19.9 x 14.6 inches
50.5 x 37.1 cm
This elaborate profile view shows the small Atlantic island of St. Helena with Linschoten's fleet of ships in the foreground. The island was an important re-fueling stop for ships in the South Atlantic providing fresh water, fruit, and meat to the early explorers. Two large strapwork cartouches feature the Portuguese coat-of-arms and a dedication to the Fugger family of merchants and financiers. It is further embellished with a very fine compass rose that orients the view with north in the lower left corner. This is the original Linschoten engraving, not to be confused with the smaller view by De Bry.
References:
Condition: B+
Issued folding, now flattened with light printer's residue. Two binding trims and adjacent binding tears at left have been expertly repaired. The top margin has been extended a bit to accommodate framing.