Tierra Nova

The map covers the entire continent and part of Central America, a few islands in the Caribbean are shown, a portion of the west coast of Africa near Guinea is depicted, along with some islands off the west coast.

Eastern South America between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn yet retains its inaccurate bulge into the Atlantic. Numerous place names follow the configuration of the continent, with nearly all of them along the coastlines. The Straights of Magellan are noted, with just the northern edge of Tierra del Fuego depicted. Inland, the Amazon River system is depicted as running south to north rather than west to east, and the Plata is delineated. The name of the larger area which was first called Santa Cruz and Veracruz, has already been replaced by Terra do Brasil. A number of mountain ranges are included, but the long range of the Andes is represented by a mid-continental range which is much shorter than its true topography. A few Incan cities in Peru Provincia, including Cusco and Caxamalca, are mentioned. 

Map taken from Geographia di Claudio Tolomeo edited by Girolamo Ruscelli, published in Venice in several editions between 1561 and 1598. The maps is based on the Geografia by Giacomo Gastaldi (1548), who probably also personally drew these maps, which were engraved by the brothers Livio and Giulio Sanuto.

The peculiarity of these maps is that they are engraved two for plate and subsequently cut; this is why the copper sign only appears on three sides of the map. Ruscelli's text and his maps are considered to be the best modern atlas up to the first version of Abraham Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (1570).

Only their widespread diffusion prevents a sustained evaluation in the antiquarian market. In fact, the work had a first edition in 1561, printed by Vincenzo Valgrisi who also edited the 1562 reprint. There are three editions signed by Giordano Ziletti (two in 1564 and one in 1574), while in 1597 it was published by the Calignani brothers. All these editions contain 64 plates. In 1598 and 1599 the two editions edited by Giuseppe Rosaccio and printed by the heirs of Melchior Sessa came to light. These last two editions include 69 plates; in fact, Rosaccio's map of the planisphere and continents has been added.

Etching and engraving, in good condition.