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“TABVLA TERRE NOVE” Strasbourg: Martin Waldseemüller, 1513. Original woodcut engraving. (Sheet: 470 x 645mm - 18 1/8 x 25 3/8’’; Image: 370 x 445mm – 14 ½ x 17 ½’’)

Reference: Burden (1996) #3; Nebenzahl (1990) p. 65; Deak (1988) #5.

Condition: Excellent appearance with centerfold as issued. Four small wormholes filled on verso with old paper; vestiges of Japan paper mount on verso borders.

Note: Contemporary manuscript ink notation at top & bottom borders to establish longitude lines. Sketch of 2 land masses in northern ocean may document early evidence of Greenland & Nova Scotia.

This important landmark map is the first devoted to America to appear in an atlas – and first obtainable printed map to focus on the New World! In 1507 Waldseemüller issued a 12 sheet world map naming the new continent America incorrectly believing Amerigo Vespucci was the discoverer.

On this map in “Terra Incognita” (South America) Latin reads: “This land with its adjacent islands was discovered by Columbus, sent by authority of the King of Castile”. Omission of America & text about Columbus was an attempt to correct his error – but proved too late & America became the accepted name. Waldseemüller refers to “the Admiral” as the source of information for the New World cartography – a reference still debated as to whether Columbus or Vespucci.

A continuous coastline is shown between North & South America & 20 place names on North American coastline. Cuba is labeled Isabella after Queen of Spain, Hispaniola Spagnolla, & Puerto Rico Boriguem.