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The item illustrated and described below is sold, but we have another example in stock. To view the example which is currently being offered for sale, click the "View Details" button below.
1597 Cornelis van Wytfliet
$ 3,200.00
Description

Rare early map of Florida, the Southeast, and Gulf Coast of North America, from Metellus America sive Novus Orbis, the second printed atlas to focus on the mapping of the New World.

Metellus's map is one of the earliest to focus on the Southeast and to name "Florida". It is the third earliest regional map (after the smaller map by Ortelius and a similar map by Wytfliet) to focus on the region.

The map is drawn from Geronimo de Chaves' map, which was copied by Ortelius in 1584 and improved by Wytfliet, who expanded the coverage to include more of the Gulf Coast, as well as extending the map north to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and south to Cuba. The inland details are derived from the reports of Hernando de Soto, during his explorations of 1539-42, making it one of the few 16th Century maps of North America to include significant inland detail from first-hand European Accounts.

The map varies considerably from the Chaves-Ortelius model.  To the east of Florida, the Bahamas (Carybdis, Bahama and Lucaio) are far more numerous and increased in size.  The Tortugas have become Testudines Insulae (Turtle Islands in Latin).   The Costa de Fuego has been added and a greater sense of "barrier islands" has been added on the east coast of Florida.  On the west coast, the reference to Ponce de Leon is now "G[olfo] de Juan Ponce", with the Rio de Perlas added.  On the Gulf Coast, a new harbor has been added, the Puerto de San Juan de Natividad.  

Unlike the Wytfliet, Metellus deletes the "Roques" south of Florida (Martyrs on the Ortelius-Chaves).

Jumelo (Jumeto) Island is shown. This is the island, which has had many names over the years, including Jumento Cays and Ragged Islands, is the place where Martin Alonso Pinzon lost 2 of his ships on the rocks in 1500.

Rarity

Metellus' map is very rare on the market. This is the first example we have ever offered for sale.

Reference
Burden 119.