Europae Descriptio Nova Impensis

London, 1663. Map. Uncolored engraving. Image measures 13 1/4" x 16 3/4"

Rare 17th century map of Europe published by Anna Seile. Extensively labeled with cities and towns, and bodies of water. Topography is rendered pictorially. Three sailing ships and two sea monster occupy the Atlantic Ocean in this this unusual map.

Originally printed by Henry Seile in 1652, his widow Anna continued the business after his death. For the third edition of Peter Heylin's "Cosmographie", Anna had the map engraved by Robert Vaughan. Unlike other women mapmakers of her time, Anna re-engraved her name into the plate, making this map one of few that (truncated) is both produced by and attributed to a female cartographer.

This map is in very good condition. Margins cropped to plate line except at top. Pinholes at upper margin and wear to corners, not affecting the image. Japanese tissue reinforcement along original centerfold. (Inventory #: 325265)