RARE 16TH CENTURY, DATED 1514, THEODOR de BRY, PUBLISHER & CARTOGRAPHER (BELGIUM, 1528-1598) 'REYNA YSABEL & CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS,' ANTIQUE LARGE FOLIO, HAND COLORED WOODCUT MAP with OPAQUE WATERCOLOR PAINT, of the CARIBBEAN SEA & ISLANDS, SOUTHERN UNITED STATES' (NORTH AMERICAN) GULF COAST, the FLORIDA PENINSULA, MEXICO'S YUCATAN PENINSULA & the NORTHERN CARIBBEAN COASTAL AREA of SOUTH AMERICA, PRINTED on ARCHES, FRANCE, 100% COTTON RAG PRINTMAKING PAPER with WATERMARK, UNFRAMED

(Dated 1514, likely realized by Theodore de Bry in the mid-16th century)

16th century, European large folio antique cartography & hand colored woodcut maps of the New World (the Americas & the Caribbean)

DIMENSIONS: 

Paper Size: 24 1⁄2" Width x 19 1⁄4" Height 

Margin:  19  1⁄2" Width x 14  7⁄8"  Height

Weight: 1 lb. 14 oz. (including original hardboard backing)  

LATIN BOXED INSCRIPTION:

'Occidentalis America partis VoL earum Regionum quas Christophorus Colombus Primu detexit tabula Cho rographicae multorum Auctorum feriptis praefertim vero ex Hyeronymi Benzoni (quitotis XIIII annis cas Provincias diligenter pertustravit Historia, Constata & in aes incisa a Theodoro de Bry Leod, Anno MDXIIII'

APPROXIMATE ENGLISH TRANSLATION from the LATIN: 

Translation of boxed inscription, found in the upper right corner of the map:

"The western part of America VoL.

COUNTRIES in CHRISTOPHER

COLUMBUS Print Uncovered Table 

Chorographic writings of many authors

preferably from Jerome Benzoni-

Cquitotis for fourteen years in Frovincia: carefully plaited) 

History, agreed & giving brass

initials by Theodore de Bry Leod

anno MDXIIII

DESCRIPTION:

Simply extraordinary. Estate fresh and in very well preserved antique condition. This and three (3) other early to mid 16th century, European antique hand colored maps, were discovered in destroyed, black lacquered wooden frames in the basement of a fine estate, located just south of Boston, Massachusetts in a well-appointed early, antique home. This and the other three (3) large folio early hand colored woodcut maps were carefully removed from the unsalvageable wooden frames, with the old glass being removed and the maps carefully lifted, being previously affixed with adhesive tabs to hardboard backing board. This was done painstakingly and extremely carefully, requiring much time and patience. The glass covering the map was absolutely filthy and due to the large quantity of dust and silt covering it, the opaque watercolor paint colors may have as a result, maintained their wonderful, still vivid and nearly saturated quality. The paper margins of the printed woodcut map appear not to have been cut down or tampered with. The map was originally framed to the frame margins without matting and sat directly under the pane of glass covering it. The map is being sold out of frame. 

From the well-known and widely celebrated 16th century Flemish engraver, cartographer 

and publisher Theodor de Bry. Magnificent. An extraordinary piece. Exciting. Near museum quality (less the aforementioned paper rippling along the print's edges located most noticeably in the wide map paper margins.) Estate fresh. Very early. Absolutely gorgeous.

CONDITION:

Good to Very Good overall antique condition.