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 first copper plate from the Latin edition of 1579.

References: Van den Broecke #26.

Condition: B+

A dark impression with full contemporary color on a sheet with an eagle watermark, light toning, a few small spots, and marginal soiling. The green pigment has browned, but the paper is still supple.