Maps, USA, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Florida, Virginiae Item et Floridae Americae...
"Virginiae Item et Floridae Americae Provinciarum nova Descriptio".
Very attractively hand-colored copper etching. This map was first published in the Mercator/Hondius atlas. Amsterdam, 1606. Our exemplar has French text on reverse side, indicating, that it was published in 1628. Flanking the Renaissance style ornamental title cartouche are two Native American villages: On the left one in Florida, on the right one in Virginia. A native American royal couple is depicted on the left of map. And in the Atlantic a manned boat with Native Americans is shown.
The focus of this map is the area of nowadays Georgia and the Carolinas. But its actually reaches from St. Augustin, FL to Chesapeak Bay. We have to consider, that this map was printed exactly 170 years before the Declaration of Independence. Pioneer discoverers where Spanish, geographers, explorers still fumbled when they cartographed this new land. The map shows many Native American and Spanish place names. Sea monsters, sail ships, a compass rose and another Renaissance cartouche complete this highly decorative, importantly early American map, which is so innocently charming.
Original antique print
Centerfold has repairs. There is a vertical pleat on the right of centerfold. General age toning and some traces of age and use in margins. Very tiny repaired tears on margin edge. In general, and considering its age, the condition of this early map is very good.
34.3 x 48.5 cm (13.5 x 19") interior design, wall decoration, ideas, idea, gift ideas, present, vintage, charming, special, decoration, home interior, living room design
