Auction No. 84
Closed Saturday, September 19, 1998 @ 10 p.m.
eastern
Antique Maps of Asia
(Price shown is a good estimate of the items value.
However, you may bid any amount.
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Lot 308 - Asiae Nova Descriptio Auctore, Hondius, ca. 1606307. Asia (Die Laender Asie Nach Ihrer Gelegenheit Bisz in Indian Werden in Diser Tafeln Verzeichnet), Munster/Petri, Cosmographia Universalis, Basle, [1544-72]. 13.5 x 10". (BW) One of the earliest maps of the whole continent. Munster based the map on recent geographical discoveries by Portuguese navigators. The outline of the Asian mainland is relatively well established. Indian appears as a peninsula and Sri Lanka, called Zalon, is correctly located. Cambay, Goa and Cannonore are all shown, reflecting the Portuguese presence on India’s west coast. Malacca is correctly located on the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra has inherited the name Taprobana from Sri Lanka, but also bears the name Sumatra. Java appears as two islands, Java Maior and Java Minor. The famed Spice Islands of Moluccas are located, but oddly shaped. The coastline of China is fairly accurate but Korea and Japan are absent. Northern Asia is named India Superior with the eastern most part left off the map. The Indian Ocean is filled with a huge sea monster and fantastic two-tailed mermaid. German text & illustration on verso with minor show through. Couple of printer’s creases, typical with woodblock maps. Some tiny worm holes & tears in margins. Map has been professionally backed with Japanese tissue to strengthen the thin paper & repair tears. (A) $850-950308. Asia (Asiae Nova Descriptio Auctore), Hondius, Mercator Atlas, Amsterdam, ca. 1606. 19.5 x 14.7". (FC) This excellent map of the whole of Asia, including South East Asia through to New Guinea, was Hondius’ update of Mercator’s map of 1595. Though it corrected many of Mercator’s errors, the map still has many interesting early depictions. Korea is shown as a very long island. Japan is depicted on the Ortelius teixeria model (1595) with three principal islands. In India, the Gulf of Cambay is very exaggerated. The Philippines are marked as the Philippina Insulae, and Archipelagus S. Lasari, Magellan’s original name for the group. The map is richly decorated with strapwork cartouches, ships, numerous sea monsters. Fine condition on very nice paper. (A+) Illustrated above. $1400-1500
309. Asia (Asia Secundum Legitimas Projectionis Sterographicae regulas et juxta recentissimas observation.), Homann Heirs/Haas, Nuremberg, 1744. 22 x 19.7". (FC) Large map of the continent extending through South East Asia to include the Philippines and all of Indonesia. Drawn by Matthias Haas with reasonably up-to-date information, it provides a good view of mid-18th century knowledge of the region. Japan is still shown with Hokkaido attached to the mainland, but Sakhalin Is. is clearly marked. The Malay peninsula is poorly formed but the East Indies are well depicted. The splendid title cartouche features a seated female courtesan, with a smoking incense burner on her lap and a large native woman drawing an arrow from her quiver, while a large reptile lurks in the background. Sight damp stain in bottom corners and some marginal spotting. Centerfold split with professional repair. (B) $800-900
310. Asia (l’Asie), de Vaugondy, Nouvel Atlas Portatif, Paris, [1778]. 11 x 9.5". (OC) The whole of Asia on a sheet of hand laid paper with full margins. Crisp impression, well colored in outline. Decorative cartouche and two distance scales. Includes most of New Guinea, the East Indies, Japan, the Philippines. (A) $150
311. Asia (Dealer’s lot), SDUK, London, ca. 1835. 12.5 x 15". (OC) Set of eleven maps of various parts of southern Asia and the Middle East. Includes several maps of parts of India, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and Turkey. All very detailed with keyboard style borders. A couple with light foxing, most fine. (B) $125
312. Asia, Colton, General Atlas of the World, New York, 1856. 15.5 x 12.5". (FC) Lovely nineteenth century map of the continent. Colton’s lovely scroll border. (A+) $45
313. Asia (Asien), Weimar: Geographisches Institute, 1861. 25 x 20.7". (OC) Beautifully engraved and colored. Filled with great detail as is common for the Institute’s maps. Extends from England all the way to the western reaches of Alaska and south to include all of Indonesia. A very handsome sheet with amazing detail. (A) $225-250
314. Near & Middle East (De Gelegentheyt Van’t Paradys en’t Landt Canaan, Mitsgaders d’Eerst…), Stoopendaal, [1686]. 18 x 13.7". (FC) Exquisite map of the region between the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf showing many Biblical sites, e.g. the Garden of Eden. Banner style title with all corners of the map containing fully colored vignettes including the creation of Adam & Eve, Paradise, Eve offering Adam the apple, and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. At center in the bottom is a large scene of the Ark. A very attractive map in fine condition, save for a couple of tiny marginal tears, well away from image. (A) $375-450
15. Near and Middle East (Imperium Turcicum in Europa, Asia et Africa…), J.B. Homann, Atlas Maior, Nuremberg, ca. 1737. 22 x 19". (FC) Very handsome map centered on Turkey but extending from the Balkans through the Caspian Sea and including much of Egypt , through the Arabian peninsula and into Persia. The map is fully engraved with mountains, forests and places. Large title cartouche surrounded by figures all fully colored. Professional repair of fold, else fine. (A) $200-300
316. Near & Middle East (Turquie d’Asie, Arabie, Perse, Tartarie Independante), de Vaugondy, Nouvel Atlas Portatif, Paris, [1778]. 8.5 x 9". (OC) Well engraved, with good color and decorative cartouche. Two distance scales. Extends from Constantinople to Pakistan. Includes all of the Caspian and Black Seas, and all of Saudi Arabia. On thick, hand-laid paper with huge margins. (A) $75
317. Near East (Turkey in Asia), S. Walker, Malte-Brun System of Universal Geography, [1834]. 9.4 x 7.8". (BW) Includes the eastern Mediterranean Sea, some of Greece, Constantinople, the Holy Land, all of Turkey to the Caspian Sea. Abrasion to border. (B) $15
318. Holy Land (Perigrinatie ofte Veertich-Iarige Reyse der Kinderen Israels), Visscher, ca. 1650. 18.7 x 12.5". (FC) Lavishly decorated map of the Holy Land which depicts the flight from Egypt and the wanderings of the Children of Isreal. Includes a fine title cartouche, several engravings of religious icons, personages and a charming scene of Jonas and the whale. Fine later color. (A) $400-475
319. Holy Land ([Levi]), Fuller, Piagah Sight of Palestine, [1650]. 13 x 11". (BW) Fascinating copper engraved map filled with Biblical illustration. Depicts the land of the tribe of Levi with the town of Yizre’el being the most prominent. The map is dedicated to Thomas Leigh, who was one of Fuller’ patrons and includes his coat of arms. Minor toning on fold. (A) $200
320. Holy Land (Het Beloofde Landt Canaan…), Stoopendaal, ca. 1700. 17.5 x 12". (OC) Beautiful, decorative map of the Holy Land depicting the twelve tribes of Israel. Elaborate, fully colored, engraving along the bottom of the map depicts the Apostles, a Nativity scene, the Crucifixion and a risen Christ. (A) $375-425
321. Holy Land (Palestine), Colton, General Atlas of the World, New York, 1855. 12.5 x 15.5". (FC) Colorful nineteenth century map of Israel, Jordan and Lebanon. Large inset of Arabia Petraea and Colton’s distinctive scroll border. (A+) $45322. Caucasus (Tabula Asiae III), Sebastian Munster, Geogarphia, Basle, [1545]. 13 x 10.5". (BW) Beautiful woodblock Ptolemaic map of the region between the Black and Caspian Seas. Large depiction of Noah’s Ark floating in the Caspian. Couple of worm hole in margins, good paper and very clean, crisp impression. (A) $500
323. Asia, northern (Siberie ou Russie, Asiatique, Tartarie Chinoise, Pays des Eluts et Isles du Japon), de Vaugondy, Nouvel Atlas Portatif, Paris, [1778]. 12 x 9.5". (OC) Crisp impression with good color. Extends from the Urals to nearly Alaska and south to below Korea. The sea between Korea and Japan is noted as the Mer de Coree. On thick, hand-laid paper with large margins. (A) $150
324. Russia (Tartaria sive Magni Chami Imperium ex Credendis Amplissimi Viri Dni Nicolai Witsen…), Allard, Amsterdam, ca. 1700. 23 x 19.7". (FC) Strongly engraved map of the Russian Empire in Asia. Great topographical detail with numerous villages and notations throughout. Tear entering bottom border, with good old repair, else fine, with strong original color. (A) $300
325. Russia (Carte Generale de la Russie D’Asie et des Regions Polaires Boreales), A. H. Brue, Paris, 1821. 19.75 x 14.25". (OC) Well engraved map of Russia and the Arctic Ocean. Inset Complement des Regions Polaires Boreales covering Greenland and northern Canada. Keyboard style border. Crisp impression on fine paper. (A+) $75
326. China (A General Map Comprizing China, Chinese-Tartary & Tibet…), D’Anville, A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese Tartary, Paris, 1734. 26.5 x 18". (BW) One of the most important 18th century maps of the region compiled from extensive Jesuit surveys carried out for the Emperor Kangxi between 1708 and 1718. Depicts the whole of China and Korea, as well as Central Asia adjacent to the Caspian Sea. Decorative title and scale of miles cartouches with several textual tables of information. Folded as issued with a bit of soiling in margins. (A) $475
327. Taiwan (I’Isle Formose et Partie des Costes de la Chine), Bellin, Prevost’s Histoire Generale des Voyages, Paris, [1750]. 11 x 9.5". (FC) Scarce map of the island of Formosa and the coast of China from about Fuzhou to Xiamen. The largest city on Formosa is T’ainan and there is nothing in the region of present day Taipei. (A+) Click image for full size. $175
328. China & Korea (China), Samuel Walker, Malte-Brun System of Universal Geography, Boston, [1834]. 9 x 7.5". (BW) Crisp, dark impression. Includes Korea, Taiwan, Hainan and part of Japan. A few very light stains. (B) $20
329. Korea (The Kingdom of Korea (called by the Cinese Kau-li-qua and by the Manchews Solho Koron)), Du Halde, A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese Tartary, London, [1738-41]. 13.7 x 20". (BW) This map is one of the earliest to show the Korean Peninsula as a separate region. A notation on the map attributes the basis of the map to one which was copied "from one in the King of Korea’s Palace by a Chinese Lord, sent on an Embassy to that Monarch by the Emperor of China in 1710". Even so, the peninsula is a bit distorted, but covered with fascinating detail. Below the elegant title cartouche is a dedication to John David Barbut (Secretary to the Post Master General). A scarce and important map, the first separate map of Korea printed in English. Couple of printer’s creases affecting some text, else fine. (A) $1000-1200
330. India and Sri Lanka (Carte de la Partie Inferieure de L’Inde en Deca du Gange contenant L’Isle de Ceylan…), R. Bonne, Paris, ca. 1780. 12.5 x 8.4". (BW) Copper engraved map of southern India. Attractive map of the Indian Ocean with Sri Lanka, the Maldives & Andaman islands. An exceptional example of this map with the unusual decorative title cartouche. (A+) $50
331. South Asia (Indostan, Presqu’ Isles de l’Inde, Chine, Tartarie Independante), de Vaugondy, Nouvel Atlas Portatif, Paris, 1778. 11 x 9.5". (OC) Good color, decorative cartouche and two distance scales. Includes India through China, and south to Singapore (not named). Good detail with many places named. Cartouche hides Borneo. On thick, hand-laid paper with wide margins. (A) $60
332. Indian Ocean (Ile Bourbon Colonie Francaise (Ocean indien.)), Victor Levasseur, Atlas National Illustre, Paris, [1849]. 17 x 11". (OC) Very detailed and finely engraved map of the island. Beautifully rendered scenes in b&w surround the map. Strong, crisp impression. Full margins, with a few marginal spots, map fine. A most decorative map. (A) $60
333. Indonesia (Sumatrae ein Grosse Insel…), Munster/Petri, Cosmographia, ca. 1588. 14 x 12". (BW) Scarce map of the island of Sumatra and southern Malaysia. This map is Petri’s revision of the early Ptolemaic map of the same name which confused Sumatra with Ceylon. One of the earliest maps to focus on this region. Singapore is marked on the tip of Malay peninsula as Cingafufa. Text to the right quotes Pliny, and below is a large engraving of an elephant and handler (oddly dressed in European clothes). Typical of this map, the paper is very thin & weak with some show-through of the text on verso. It has been backed with light paper to strengthen and fill some tiny holes and tears, and to replace the right lower border with a facsimile neatline. Still a good copy of a very scarce map. (C) $550-600
334. South East Asia (Carte de l’Inde au-dela du Gange comprenant les Royaumes de Siam, de Tunquin, Pegu, Ava, Aracan, &c.), Bellin, Prevost’s Histoire Generale Des Voyages, Paris, [1750]. 10.7 x 10.7". (FC) Lovely copper engraved map of Indochina, Thailand, Burma and northern Malaysia. Delicately engraved title cartouche and pastel coloring make this a very attractive map. (A+) Click image for full size. $100
335. South East Asia (Les Isles de la Sonde, Moluques, Philippines, Carolines, et Mariannes), de Vaugondy, Nouvel Atlas Portatif, Paris, [1778]. 10.5 x 9.5". (OC) Crisp impression, very good coloring, decorative cartouche, 2 distance scales. Includes much of New Guinea. The Spice Islands are clearly shown. On full sheet of hand-laid paper. (A) $100
336. South East Asia (Carte Di Grand Archipel D’Asie, Parti Nord-Quest de L’Oceanie Redigee), A.H. Brue, Paris, 1826. 20 x 14.25". (OC) Delicately engraved map focusing on the Philippines and Indonesia. Colored to show the European colonial possessions. Nicely detailed. Keyboard style border with royal seal in title. On very fine quality paper. (A) $175
337. Philippines (Pocket Map of Manila Bay and the Island of Luzon Scene of the Philippin Operations), B.F. Newton, New York, 1899. 12 x 16". (BW) Great military map of the area involved in the Spanish American War. The map was copied from the original Spanish office Hydrographic Map published in Madrid in 1875. Folding into paper covers with a portrait of Admiral Dewey on the cover. Fold separations repaired with archival tape. (B)
$75
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