A. Knivets Zeldsaame Reystogt door de Straat Magellaan na de Zuyd Zee tot aan ayn Vlugt in Angola agtervolgt

This map of the Atlantic, South America, Africa, and Europe was used to illustrate the adventures of Anthony Knivet, a fascinating individual.



Knivet left England in 1586 to accompany Sir Thomas Cavendish on his circumnavigation voyage. After falling ill, Knivet was marooned on an island in the Magellan Straits where he was captured by the Portuguese. He was then sold into slavery on a sugar plantation in Brazil. After several escape attempts, including one which took him to Congo and Angola, Knivet was finally able to make his way back to England in 1601. His written account was purchased by the eminent historian Richard Hakluyt, and an abridged version was subsequently published in the most celebrated travel book of its time, Purchas His Pilgrimes by Samuel Purchas.



The illustrated title cartouche depicts a large Brazilian plantation building in front of which is a man in a red shirt with his arms bound behind his back. This is likely a depiction of Knivet himself being sold back into slavery by a member of the native Tupi tribe with whom he had been hiding during one escape attempt.



Coloured. [AMER2205]