Wytfliet, pub. 1597 - Map of North America (Speculated Map with part of Canada, Midwest, Great Lakes)

Wytfliet, pub. 1597 - Map of North America (Speculated Map with part of Canada, Midwest, Great Lakes)
This map is by Cornelis Wytfliet and entitled Conibas Regio cum Vicinis Gentibus. The map was published in 1597 in Leuven, Belgium as part of Descriptionis Ptolemaicae augmentum

This map focuses on the central part of North America with parts of modern Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Alberta, Great Lakes, and Canada. It is almost entirely based on speculation. It notates Nova Granada in the lower portion of the map with likely the Rio Grande. The central area of the map would be the Midwest & Great Lakes region. Tolm Regnum would depict the area of Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Canada.

Wytfliet's atlas was "the first separately published atlas devoted to the Americas." (Skelton) It also included Mercator's map of the world "reduced from Rumold Mercator's map of ten years earlier." (Shirley 207). It's map of Virginia was only the second to use the name "Virginia" in the title, following the White and De Bry map of 1590.

Wytfliet sourced his publication through the works of Acosta, Hakluyt, de Bry, and Ramusio. The work "... is as important in the history of the early cartography of the new world, as Ptolemy's maps are in the study of the old." (Phillips)

Cornelis van Wytfliet (c1550s-1597) was a native of Brabant, Belgium. Little is known of his life, though his published atlas of America was certainly very important. He considered it an augmentation or supplement to Ptolemy's Geography as it covered the Americas, which were unknown to Ptolemy.


Paper Size: ~ 13 3/4" by 12 3/4"


Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There is some hand written note in the margin. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.