Nova et Accurata Brasiliae totius Tabula

Stunning map of Brazil with a large decorative cartouche.

This rare map was originally issued in the later examples of of Blaeu's Atlas Major. It was an updated version of Blaeu's earlier map of Brazil first issued in 1635 and based on de Laet's map of 1630. It uses mainly on Portuguese sources, particularly Jesuit mapping and shows a substantial improvement on coastal detail although the interior is still very much unknown.

After the great fire suffered by the Blaeu firm in 1672, the remaining copper plates were mostly sold at auction and it is believed that this plate was bought by Pieter Schenk, who added his imprint below Blaeu's name and issued the identical map in his "Atlas Contractus" in c.1694.

Original colour. [SAM3570]