Portugallia et Algarbia quae olim Lusitania

Very attractive map of Portugal published to show north to the left of the sheet. Adorned with several ships and Poseidon riding a sea monster. 

The foundational source for this map goes back to 1561, Verando Alvero Secco drew the first map of Portugal and took it to Rome where it was used for diplomatic purposes with the Holy See. It had the same orientation with north to the left of the sheet. It was then used by Ortelius in the first atlas of 1570 and then by Jodocus Hondius in his grand atlas in 1606. It remained in this format and was used by the great Dutch publishing houses throughout the 1600s. 

This example was issued by Merian and bears the closest resemblance to the version published by Willem and Joan Blaeu. 

Coloured. [SP2250]