"Guinea", Blaeu, Willem

Elegantly engraved map covering the coast from Sierra Leone to Gabon. The land is filled with animals and the sea is decorated with ships and compass roses. The large title cartouche is flanked by two natives and topped by a very human-looking monkey. On the left of the title is a dedication cartouche to D. Nicolao Tulp, a famous Dutch doctor, and to the right two child-like sea creatures carry a large elephant tusk, representing the flourishing ivory trade. Blank verso.

References: Goss (Blaeu) #63; Norwich #315; Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #8700:2A.

Condition: B+

Full contemporary color with light scattered foxing and minor printer's ink residue. There is a small abrasion along the equator and a couple of wormholes visible when held to light. A short centerfold separation confined to the bottom blank margin has been archivally repaired.