Eastern North America--Wytfliet, Cornelis.

Burden, Mapping of North America 103

The condition of this item is as described in the catalogue
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From the first atlas of the Americas.

A detailed map of the eastern seaboard of North America from Cape Breton south to the Outer Banks of North Carolinas, described by Burden as "the most accurate map of the east coast until de Laet", this makes an interesting comparison with the Smith map of New England (see lot 40), with its contraction of the New England, New Jersey and Virginia region.

The great city of "Norumbega" prominent to the right of the title, an early New England misconception, is generally thought to represent the Penobscot region in Maine. Thus this map omits completely Cape Cod, New York, Long Island and New Jersey, with the next "recognisable" feature to the south being "Chesipooc Bay", although not the Chesapeake Bay as we know it today, or as mapped by Smith in 1608 (see lot 39).

This example is the first state of the map, with the date 1597 present in the title, and is only rarely found as a separate sheet.