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M-11078: (Image :15x19.5”) “PORTVGALLIA et ALGARBIA quae olim LVSITANIA Auctore Vernando Alvaro Secco”. Amsterdam: Jan Jansson, c. 1642. Verso text: Dutch.  Beautifully engraved map with fine original hand-coloring. Identical to the Blaeu map of the same title, except for Jansson’s name at lower right.

This very detailed map depicts Portugal with numerous ships and Neptune adorning the sea. Based on the map by Seco who is credited with creating the “first modern map of Portugal”. Topographical features are shown and mountains and waterways identified. Most cities, towns, and islands are located.

The Moorish figures, using astronomical instruments, on either side of the title cartouche represent the earlier period in Portugal when Algarve and Portugal to the south of the Tejo were under Muslim dominion. In contrast, the several sailing ships hint at the maritime power of Portugal providing a lifeline to an empire which included a large part of South America, the settlements in Africa and the possessions in Asia and the East Indies.