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| This is the first published map of the Pacific Ocean. Like Ortelius' map of the Americas, it is one of the finest atlas maps from the Renaissance period. A beautifully engraved rendering of the Pacific Ocean and the Americas, it is important for its original depiction of the western coast of North America - using place names not seen on earlier maps. Ortelius' source for these names is not known, although it has been suggested that they are derived from an unrecorded Spanish voyage. Uniquely for this period, Ortelius places the Americas within the context of the Pacific and the little-known countries of the Far East. In honour of Ferdinand Magellan, there is a fine vignette of his ship, the Victoria, firing its guns in salute as it enters the Pacific. A strong, crisp, uncoloured example of this sought after map. |
