Mexico – Quad

Quad, Matthias (1557-1613):  Hispaniae Novae Sive Magnae Vera Descriptio.

Cologne, c1600 

copper engraved map; overall 27,5 x 36,5 cm; plate 21 x 29,5 cm. fold as issued; edges frayed; paper evenly toned; some off-set; c’folds with small splits not affecting image; plate slightly rubbed in places; some marginal tears not affecting image; o/w vg cond.

A very detailed and early map of Mexico by Quad, based on the map by Ortelius; engraved by Johann Bussemacher. The map states early names of places, rivers, mountains etc. With a small cartouche, a box top right corner with descriptive text about the entire country; a second box, lower left, with numbers referring to places within the map. Latin text on verso. Maps by Quad a rather rare and seldom appear on the market.

Quad was born in Deventer, in the Netherlands; he was ageographer, humanist and engraver who studied in Heidelberg before he settled in Cologne but left to settle in Heidelberg in 1603. He engraved city plans for Braun & Hogenberg’s Civitates.

Ref: 3227