Considerable effort went into the text and maps of this work, which was the most accurate description of the Americas available at the time. It is arguably the finest published in the seventeenth century. The exhaustive research involved de Laet reading all of the published and manuscript material that he could find. For the cartographic work he had much to call on, being a director of the recently formed Dutch West India Company in charge of all Dutch interests in America and Africa. He therefore had access to the latest geographic knowledge. He drew upon the fine talents of Hessel Gerritsz, the official cartographer to the Company since 1617. Gerritsz attained this post before Willem Blaeu under whom he was apprenticed, and who was his senior by ten years.

The maps were some of the first to depart from the heavier style of the Mercator and Ortelius period. This more open style of engraving was one that both Blaeu and Janssonius would use in their atlases. The first edition of the book contained ten maps which, with the exception of this one, concentrated on South America. There were none of North America until the second edition in 1630.” This is the ensuing edition of 1633, the first in Latin. Provenance: manuscript ownership inscription of John Bradgate on the half-title; John Evelyn’s press-mark and later book label; Sir Frederick Evelyn bookplate; Christie’s sale of the Evelyn Library, 30 November 1977, lot 864 £1,430 to Charles W. Traylen, Guildford, Surrey, for Lord Wardington. Alden II:337; Borba de Moraes, p.451; Phillips (1909-) nos. 1147-50; Sabin 38557.