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Copper-engraved map. 54.4x40 cm (21½x15¾"), on two sheets joined together, archivally matted & framed under plexiglass.

Lovely example of this important map, a re-engraving by Johann De Bry of the rare two sheet map published by Filippo Pigafetta in Relatione de reame de Congo, issued by De Bry in Petits Voyages. Depicting the eastern portion, including all south of the western bulge, It is one of the few early maps to make a meaningful alteration in the depiction of Africa, changing the two lakes that are the sources of the Nile from a side to side to a vertical arrangements. This latter configuration conforms more closely to the actual locations of Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika. Pigafetta's source was Duarte Lopez, "a Portuguese explorer who collected a mass of authentic geographic material on the Congo and its basin to which he added speculations on the origin of the Nile" - Norwich. A finely engraved map, ornamented with numerous ships, sea monsters, etc., handsomely framed by Schein & Schein, San Francisco. Tooley, MCCS No. 29, #134; Norwich, Maps of Africa, #16 (see). Provenance: Barbara Keck, purchased from Martayan Lan.