"Mexico, Regia et Celebris Hispaniae Novae Civitas", Braun & Hogenberg

Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum or "Cities of the World" was published between 1572 and 1617. Within the six volumes, 531 towns and cities were depicted on 363 plates, providing the reader with the pleasures of travel without the attendant discomforts. Braun wrote in the preface to the third book, "What could be more pleasant than, in one's own home far from all danger, to gaze in these books at the universal form of the earth . . . adorned with the splendor of cities and fortresses and, by looking at pictures and reading the texts accompanying them, to acquire knowledge which could scarcely be had but by long and difficult journeys?" Braun and Hogenberg incorporated an astonishing wealth of information into each scene beyond the city layout and important buildings. The plates provide an impression of the economy and prominent occupations, and illustrate local costumes, manners and customs.

This is one of only two New World cities depicted in the Civitatis Orbis Terrarum, depicting the great capitals of Aztec civilization at the time of the Spanish conquest. Mexico City is shown inside its lake setting. A trio of native figures appear in the foreground. Trimmed from a folio sheet that also contained a plan of Cusco. This is an early edition, with the crack in the plate to the right of "Mexico" barely visible. Second state with privilege added. Latin text on verso.

References: Fussel, pp. 132-35; Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #2731.

Condition: A

On watermarked paper with light foxing that is almost entirely confined to the blank margins. Very narrow right margin, where the plan of Cusco was removed from the sheet.