Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, 1675

Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean from 1675
Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean 1675 “Indiarum Occidentalium Tractus Littorales cum Insulis Caribicis / Pascaert van Westindien ende Caribise Eylanden”, Wit, Frederick de This is a scarce first edition of one of the most beautifully engraved maps of the West Indies. It extends to show the coast of North America almost to New England, all of Central America, and the northern coast of South America. There is a wealth of navigational information including passages, anchorages, sandbanks and shoals. Numerous place names line the coasts, including Charleston, St Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Roanoke Island, Santo Domingo and Havana. The curvature of the Gulf Coast is nearly accurate, but the map predates Iberville and La Salle’s explorations of the Mississippi Delta and Mobile Bay. The map is a masterpiece of decorative engraving, with illustrations of sailing vessels, a compass rose, and two elaborate title cartouches (Latin and Dutch), one depicting cannibalism and the other European pirates observing natives. References: Burden #468.

Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, 1675

“Indiarum Occidentalium Tractus Littorales cum Insulis Caribicis / Pascaert van Westindien ende Caribise Eylanden”, Wit, Frederick de

This is a scarce first edition of one of the most beautifully engraved maps of the West Indies.

It extends to show the coastline of North America almost to New England, the whole of Central America and the northern coast of South America.

There is a wealth of navigational information including passages, anchorages, sandbanks and shoals.

Numerous place names line the coasts, including Charleston, St Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Roanoke Island, Santo Domingo and Havana.

The curvature of the Gulf Coast is nearly accurate, but the map predates Iberville and La Salle’s explorations of the Mississippi Delta and Mobile Bay.

The map is a masterpiece of decorative engraving, with illustrations of sailing vessels, a compass rose, and two elaborate title cartouches (Latin and Dutch), one depicting cannibalism and the other European pirates observing natives.

Bibliography: Burden #468.

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