Detailed map of central Mexico that was designed to illustrate the expedition of Hernan Cortes (here called Ferdinand Cortes), a Spanish Conquistador who conquered Mexico circa 1520 and caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. The map depicts Guadalajara and Mexico City both situated on large lakes. The title cartouche includes a scene of natives bringing treasures to Cortes. This map was published in van der Aa's compilation of early voyages of exploration.

A rare decorative map, executed in detailed engraving and fine hand coloring. The map shows information of early voyages of exploration by the Spanish in mid-America.

Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch mapmaker and publisher who printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated books but is best known for his voluminous output of maps and atlases. Van der Aa was born to a German stonecutter from Holstein. Interestingly, all three van der Aa sons came to be involved in the printing business. Hildebrand was a copper engraver and Boudewyn was a printer.