An old coloured example of one earliest maps available that focuses only on North America, originally published by Henricus Hondius and Jan Jansson in 1636 during the Dutch golden age. This example is the first state of the map, as the title cartouche in the bottom left corner of the map is blank, and was followed by two additional versions; first by Jansson alone and later by Valk and Schenck. The details of the map were assembled from many sources, including Henry Briggs’ 1625 work entitled The North Part of America, and contain many cartographical errors including the depiction of California as an island. As the interior of the continent was largely unexplored by Europeans, this area contains very few features and is instead delightfully decorated with indigenous animals. A description of North America appears verso in French. Other than a professionally repaired short centrefold split, the map is a lovely old coloured example in very good condition. 46.5 cm x 55 cm