Nova Hispania et Nova Galicia

Copper engraved map, from the French edition of Bleau’s ‘Le Theatre du Monde’, contemporary hand colour, decorative title cartouche with the Royal Spanish arms, figureheads, parrots and other adornments, compass rose, rhumb lines, central vertical fold, French text on verso, Amsterdam, c.1640.

An attractive example of Bleau’s map of Mexico, extending from just north of Mazatlan to Acapulco and from Tehuacan to Sierra Madres, showing Mexico City situated on a large lake below the elaborate title cartouche. Several gold and silver mines are located in the central region with a diamond-shaped icon,and a central mountain range has a Latin note indicating that there are large amounts of silver to be found there. A crisp impression of a highly decorative map.