Copperplate engraving, hand-painted mm 187x255. Good copy. Taken from the edition of Ptolemy's "Geography", edited by Moleto and published by the Sessa heirs, third edition in Ruscelli's translation. The map is based on Gastaldi's map of 1548 published in his edition of 'Geography' that was one of the two first regional maps of North America (together with Tierra Nueva Tabula). This third edition, 3rd State, is the rarest of the three, is significantly revised and includes numerous embellishments and additions of place names and a revised topography, including many new islands. As a decorative element, a ship in the Mare Pacificum. New labels are added, including Calmifor (California), Sierra Nevad (Sierra Nevada) and Golfo Mexicano (Gulf of Mexico). This is perhaps the most influential map of the Southwest during the 16th century. It is also one of the earliest maps of the region and represents an important contribution to our knowledge of the geography of New Spain. Fine specimen, minimal one-centimetre tear to the right margin. Girolamo Ruscelli (1500-1566) was born in Viterbo and was an important writer and publisher, who after studying in Padua spent his career between Rome and Naples, where he died. Burden 31.