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Engraved map. On 6 large sheets, backed with linen, sectioned for folding into 12 panels each. Each sheet approx. 127.5x64 cm (50x25¼") plus narrow margins; overall approx. 127x384 cm (50x151½").

Extraordinary map of the island of Cuba, beautifully engraved and on a grand scale. Warren Heckrotte comments, "This is the first topographical map of Cuba. Emilio Cueto (Cuba in Old Maps) says this map 'stands as the true masterpiece of Spanish printed cartography.' According to Cueto, this map was commissioned by Dionsio Vives, and published by José Jasme-Valcourt." There is a large pictorial cartouche, and eight insets: Plano De La Ciudad Y Pueblo De La Habana;  Plano De La Ciudad De Santiago De Cuba; Plano De La Bahia De Cuba; Plano De La Ciudad Y Bahia De Sn. Carlos Mantanzas; Plano De La Ciudad De Trinidad; Puerto De Casilda; Ciudad de Sta. Maria De Puerto Principe; and Co. Mola ó de Sn. Nicolas De la Isla de Sto Domingo.

Provenance: Butterfield & Butterfield, 9/18/00, part of a shelf lot of books and maps

References: Cueto, Cuba in Old Maps, no. 70. and p 18. Also, Cueto, "Cuban Cartography 1500-1898", in Cuban Studies, v. 27 (1998), no. 188. A portion of this map is illustrated in Cuba in Old Maps; that copy is dissected and mounted on linen as with mine and the panels are also the same size.