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Description

Rare early map of the New World and the Atlantic, engraved by Nicolas de Nicolai, the French Royal Geographer in the mid-16th Century.

De Nicolai's map is one of the earliest maps of America to accurately report a number of the earliest contemporary discoveries. It is also the earliest map of America published in France. De Nicolai's map is a tremendous improvement over the crude American map which appeared in the 1548 Valladolid/Seville edition of Medina's Arte de Navegare. De Nicolai's map is substantially enlarged and printed with a copper plate. The map shows knowledge of Cartier's voyages up the St. Lawrence and many more islands in the Gulf. Along the eastern seaboard, the name C. des maria represents the Outer Banks of the Carolinas, the earliest reference to this region. Tierra Del Licenado Avolloh refers to the unsuccessful attempt at a colony by Spanish Conquistador Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon in South Carolina. The Bahamas are shown, as is Bermuda, and Cuba. The Yucatan is an Island. Florida is named, as is C. Berton (Breton), Tierra de los Bretons, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Hispaniola, Mexico City etc. The Amazon is shown flowing North & South. The mythical Island of Brasil is shown.

A strong dark impression of the true first state of the map, later copied by Forlani (1560) and Bertelli (1565). One of the earliest obtainable maps of America and the third earliest map of America to be printed with a copper plate . A few minor tears expertly repaired, else a nice example.

Reference
Burden 19.