Antique Maps of the
World
Auction No. 85
Is Now Closed
Closed December 5, 1998
Contact us via email
Call (800) 664-7757 or (520) 282-3944, fax: (520)
282-3945
Lot 5 - Orbis Terrae Compendiosa Descriptio, Rumold Mercator, c.1587
 1. Title
Page (Warhaffrige Ubconterfantung der Wilden in America), Theodore de Bry, 1591.
8.2 x 12". (BW) Bold copper engraved title page with numerous native Floridians,
including the wedding procession, a king and several warriors. (A+) Click
image for full size. $300-350
2. Frontispiece portrait (Spectandum dedit
Ortelius mortalib. orbem, Orbi spectandum Galleus Ortelium), Ph. Galle (engraver),
Antwerp, ca. 1598. 8.5 x 12.5". (FC) Portrait of Ortelius, the famous cartographer.
Scattered tiny worm holes in surrounding border and some surface soiling in margins, which
have been trimmed but are still very adequate. Very nice old color. (B) Click image for full size. $400-450
 3.
Frontispiece portrait (Americus Vesputius), Montanus, ca. 1677. 6.5 x 11". (BW)
Fine, crisp engraving of the explorer for whom America was named. Minor marginal tears,
image crisp and clean. (A) Click image for
full size. $275-325
 4.
Frontispiece (Five Varieties, of the Human Race), T.G. Bradford, Comprehensive
Atlas, Boston, ca. 1835. 8.2 x 10.4". (FC) Fully colored vignettes of the five
races, namely American, African, Caucasian, Malay and Mongol. Very skillfully
engraved using stipple and dot-and-lozenge style of crosshatching to achieve tonality and
modeling of the figures. Age toned and a little surface soil. (B) Click image for full size. $40-50
5. World (Orbis Terrae Compendiosa
Descriptio), Rumold Mercator, Geneva, ca. 1587. 20.5 x 11.2". (FC) Striking double
hemisphere map surrounded by elaborate strapwork border. Rumold based this map on his
father’s great world map of 1569. The northpole is depicted as a landmass surrounding
a sea from which four rivers radiate and there is a well depicted northwest passage. In
the antarctic is the imaginary southern continent and there is a bulge in the southwest
coast of South America. The map embodies many ancient authorities and is a wonderful view
of classical cartography. Cracks in the copper plate are visible in the title, indicating
a later publication. Ref: Shirley 157. The margins have been trimmed (1/8" at right
corner, others ¼" or better), and the map has restoration including backing with
tissue, paper inlaid near fold with some facsimile with noticeable creasing. Still looks
good, except on close examination. Will be very attractive when framed. (C) Illustrated at top of page. $2700-2800
 6. World
(Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula), Merian, Les
Empires … du Monde, Frankfurt, ca. 1638. 14 x 10". (BW) Crisply
engraved world map on Mercator’s projection. The cartography was closely copied from
Bleau’s world map of 1606. Latin title at top, outside neatline, with German script
title and notation concerning the discovery of the Americas covering the unknown interior
of North America. Large southern continent connected to New Guinea, California is a
peninsula. Lots of open ended waterways in eastern North America, leaving the possiblity
for a Northwest Passage. Two polar projections in lower corners. Elegantly decorated with
sea monsters, galleons and compass roses. Merian’s signature at lower right. Ref:
Shirley 345. (A) Click image for full
size. $1600-1700
 7. World (Orbis
Terrarum Typus de Intergroin Plurimis Emendatus Auctus Et Icunculis Illustratus),
Visscher, Amsterdam, ca. 1660. 18.5 x 12.2". (BW) Double hemisphere surrounded by
beautiful engravings including allegorical representations of the continents, native
inhabitants and wildlife. Two celestial spheres are displayed in the eastern hemisphere.
Text in the lower part of the western hemisphere describes the discovery of America &
recent voyages of discovery. In addition are two diagrams depicting the Ptolemaic and
Copernical theories of the solar system. The northwest coast of North America is
exaggerated and shows California as a peninsula. Western Australia, Van Diemen’s Land
and a bit of New Zealand are marked. Ref: Shirley 414. Clean, and crisp engraving.
Professional repair of centerfold and remargin on right with neatline & a tiny bit of
engraving in facsimile, all very well done. (A) Click image for full size. $2000-2300
 8. World
(Orbis Terrarum Tabula Recens Emendate et in Lucem Edita per N. Visscher), Visscher,
Amsterdam, [1664]. 18.7 x 12". (FC) First state of this magnificent double hemisphere
Dutch Bible map. Surrounded by superb engravings of animals and four female allegorical
representations of the continents. At top and bottom are two diagrams depicting the
Ptolemaic and Copernical theories of the solar system. The northwest coast of North
America is greatly exagerated with a peninsular California. Western Australia, Van
Diemen’s Land and a bit of New Zealand are shown, as well as the islands of the South
Pacific. Ref: Shirley 431. (A+) Click image
for full size. $2300-2600
 9. World (Orbis
Terrarum Tabula Recens Emendate et in Lucem Edita), Stoopendaal/Keur, Dordrecht, [1682].
18.2 x 14". (FC) Exquisite double hemisphere world map from a folio Dutch Bible by
Hendrik and Jacob Keur. Surrounded by fabulous scenes from the Visscher-Berchem map of
1658 with astronomical diagrams in place of the north and south polar circles. These
classic scenes depict the abduction of Persephone, Zeus being carried across the heavens
in an eagle-drawn chariot, Poseidon commanding his entourage, and Demete receiving the
fruits of the Earth. CALIFORNIA IS AN ISLAND with a flat northern coast labeled Nova
Albion. A small island, about where Alaska is located, is labeled Anian. In Asia the Great
Wall of China is shown. Western Australia, Van Diemens Land and New Zealand are shown with
incomplete coastlines. Ref: Shirley 513. Beautiful, modern color & professionally
repaired fold. (A+) Click image for full
size. $2500-2800
 10.
World (Mappe Monde ou Carte Marine Universelle Reduite…), Pierre Moullard-Sanson,
1695. 19 x 18". (OC) Very unusual, rare world map on Mercator’s projection with
CALIFORNIA AS AN ISLAND. Moullard inherited the copper plates from his grandfather,
Nicolas Sanson, and added the Sanson suffix to his name. His business was not successful;
therefore his maps are very scarce. This map contains a detailed recording of the
day’s length according to the sun’s zodiacal position, theoretically allowing a
means of calculating degrees of longitude. Shirley 574. This example differs from Shirley
574 as the title is above the map, instead of below. Possibly, an unrecorded state. Folded
as issued with a minor separation where previously bound, else very fine. A very crisp
impression. (A) $1200-1400
 11. World (Mapemonde Planisphere ou Carte Generale du Monde), de la
Feuille, Amsterdam, ca. 1710. 8.5 x 6". (FC) Attractive, simple double hemisphere
with CALIFORNIA AS AN ISLAND. The eastern coast of Australia and New Zealand are not yet
completely formed, and the northwest coast of North America is blank. Acid burn from old
mat in margins and minor browning on folds. (B) Click image for full size. Click image for full size. $375-425
 12.
World (Schuine Ronde Aard-Klooten…), De Lat and Keizer, Amsterdam, ca. 1734. 9.5
x 6.7". (OC) Interesting double hemisphere world map with polar projections. In North
America, there is a large ISLAND OF CALIFORNIA. Australia and New Zealand are shown with
incomplete coastlines, but the well intentioned colorist connected the lines, possibly
indicating a later publication. The map contains six smaller astronomical spheres. Two
folds, as issued. (A+) Click image for
full size. $240-275
 13. World
(Orbis Vetus in Utraque Continente Juxta Mentem Sansonianam Distinctus, nec non
Observationibu Astronomicis), Gilles de Vaugondy, Paris, 1752. 28 x 18.5". (FC) Very
lovely, large double hemisphere in the characteristic French style of scientific
cartography combined with flourishing cartouches between the hemispheres. Australia is
shown with only the north and west coastlines provisionally connected by hachures with
Tasmania and New Guinea. A bit of the coast of New Zealand is evident, as are a few
islands in the south Pacific. The Americas are called Atlantis Insular, after
Sanson, and the northwest coast of North America stops just above California. Map in
outline color with fully color in the bold cartouches. (A) Click image for full size. $800-900
 14. World (A Map of the World, on Mercator’s
Projection), Anon., Gentleman’s Magazine, London, 1755. 11.2 x
7.2". (BW) Crisp impression on hand laid paper with a large, beautiful watermark.
Shows political boundaries throughout the world. Undefined west coast of North America,
Tasmania and New Guinea attached to Australia. Ref: Jolly GENT-94. Still bound into the
Gentleman’s Magazine, Dec. 1755, with related article on how to use the map. (B) Illustrated at right. $200-250
 15.
World (L’Ancien Monde et le Nouveau), Bonne, Paris, ca. 1780. 16 x 8.5".
(FC) Attractive double hemisphere map. Tasmania is attached to Australia. Greenland is
likewise attached to North America. Alaska is a large group of islands. The northwest
coast of North America is nearly completely blank. Very nice later color. (A+) Click image for full size. $200-250
 16. World
(Planiglob der Antipoden …), A. Stieler, Hand Atlas, Gotha, 1816.
14 x 11". (FC) Very unusual map with the eastern and western hemisphere superimposed
over one another. The western hemisphere right side up and the eastern hemisphere upside
down. Four other hemispheres of the poles, in two formats, on each side of the larger map.
Steel engraving with clear plate mark, crisp impression. (A+) Click image for full size. $75-100
17. World (The World [together with] The World on Mercator’s
Projection), Syndey Hall, London, 1819. 15 x 8.5". (BW) Nice pair of well engraved
maps. Good topographical detail and attractive title blocks. Light foxing in margins with
some just into borders. (B) $100-130
18. World (The World on Mercator’s Projection), G. Aidman,
Edinburgh, ca. 1839. 16 x 9.7". (OC) Handsome chart with lots of coastal places and
islands named. Surface soiling in margins. (A) $35-50
19. Ancient World (The World, as know to the Ancients), T.G.
Bradford, Comprehensive Atlas, ca. 1835. 10 x 8". (OC) Subtitled: This
Map contains all the Parts of which it is thought the Ancients had any knowledge.
Includes northern Africa, all of Europe and Scandinavia, Russia, and Asia far east as
Sumatra and Korea. Does not show Japan. Toned and a small puncture hole in ocean with no
loss. (B) $20-30
  20. Polar (Nova et Accurata Poli
Arctici et terrarum Circum Iacentium Descriptio [together with] Polus Antarcticus),
Hondius/Jansson, Amsterdam, ca. 1650. 20 x 18". (FC) Exceptional pair of important
polar maps. The beautiful map of a north polar projection was the prototype for many later
maps. It depicts rhumb lines radiating from the North Pole. The northwest coast of North
America is conveniently hidden beneath the large title cartouche. Richly decorated with
figures, compass roses and ships. The map of Antarctica depicts a large southern
continent, with an incomplete coastline. The southern tips of South America, Africa and
part of western Australia are shown. Surrounding the map are vignettes depicting natives
and wildlife. Both are lightly toned with a tiny bit of light foxing & offsetting.
Second has a professionally repaired split on fold. Original color. (A) Click images for full size. $2000-2200
21. Antarctica (Chart of the Antarctic Polar Circle, with the
Counties adjoining, According to the New Hypothesis of M. Bauche. From the Memoirs of the
Royal Academy at Paris), Anon., Gentleman’s Mag., London, 1763. 8.7 x
7.6". (BW) Fascinating look into Bauche’s imaginative theory. New Zealand is
connected to the southern continent. Many notations including: C. of the Terra
Australis according to Delisle, Land seen by M. Bouvet in 1738, Disgorgement of the Ice
and more. Australia and New Guinea are connected. Very interesting map. Ref: Jolly
GENT-166. (B) $170-200
22. World, miscellaneous (Dealer’s lot), Bonne, Paris, ca.
1780. 13 x 10". (BW) Group of eight appealing copper engraved maps from various parts
of the world including South America, India, Africa, Scandinavia and northern Europe. All
crisp impressions. (A) $75-100
23. World, miscellaneous (Dealer’s Lot), ca. 1800. (BW)
Twenty-six maps of various parts of the world, mostly Asia and South America. Most measure
8 x 10" but there are several double page, with attractive title cartouches. Most
were published by T. Cadell in London, with a couple of other similar publishers. All need
cleaning. (C) $75-100
24. Rivers (A Map of the Principal Rivers shewing Their Courses, Countries and
Comparative Lengths), SDUK, London, 1834. 12 x 15.5". (OC) Interesting depiction of
the world’s major rivers radiating from a central compass rose. Marginal tear,
repaired with archival tape. (A) Click
image for full size. $35-50
 25.
Mountains (Comparative Heights of Mountains.), T.G. Bradford, Comprehensive Atlas,
Boston, ca. 1835. 10.2 x 8". (OC) Good impression and color. Completely filled with
mountains. The highest are Chamoulari and Dhawalaghiri at nearly 28,000’ in the Himmaleh
mountains. The legend gives the color for each continent spelled out - the colors were
predetermined by the engraver rather than left to the discretion of the colorist. Lightly
age-toned. (B) Click image for full size. $35-50
 26. Flags
(Johnson’s New Chart of National Emblems), Johnson & Ward, New York, 1863.
23.3 x 17". (FC) The best of this series. Over 80 hand colored national flags, plus
12 flags for pilots, four large standards and some pennants. Attractive piece. Some
chipping at bottom with tear to border, otherwise fine with brilliant color. (B) Click image for full size. $45-60
 27.
Solar Eclipse (The GEOGRAPHY of the Great Solar Eclipse of July 14, MDCCXLVIII.
Exhibiting an accurate Map of all parts of the Earth in which it will be Visible with the
North Pole, according to the latest Discoveries By G. Smith Esqr.), Thomas Jefferys, Gentleman’s
Magazine, London, 1748. 17.2 x 11.7". (BW). Polar projection showing the
worldwide extent of recent eclipse. Surrounded by 24 vignettes showing the eclipse in
various cities of the world. Decorative cartouche and titling. On hand-laid paper. Ref:
Jolly GENT-59. Very light offsetting, short tear at binding corner, repaired. (B) Click image for full size. $170-200
  28.
World Globe, W. & A.K. Johnston, Edinburgh, ca. 1930. Twelve inch, paper over
plaster, terrestrial globe on a handsome, three legged (lion clawed), cast iron stand. The
globe turns in a pivoting 360 degree ring. Yugoslavia is named , but Saudi Arabia is still
Arabia, dating it between 1929 and 1932. The globe has many small areas of surface
abrasion and a 2" x 1" area of missing paper in southern Russia and part of
Persia. The U.S. has only 2 areas of very small abrasion in the south. Minor surface
soiling. Still a great globe with a beautiful stand. (D) Click images for full size. $130-180
 29. World
Globe, Replogle Globes, Chicago, ca. 1940. Twelve inch, paper over plaster,
terrestrial globe on round metal stand. Globe pivots in semicircular degree ring. Persia
is named Iran and none of the affects of WWII are present. General surface soiling and
some checkering. Abrasion to paper around equator and some barely visible areas of impact.
(B) Click image for full size. $75-100
30. World Globe, George F. Cram, Chicago, ca. 1946. Eight inch,
paper over plaster, terrestrial globe on round turned wooden stand. Globe pivots on rod
projecting from the base. The Philippines are independent but Israel and Pakistan have not
yet formed. General surface checking. Abrasion to paper around equator and one cracked
area in the ocean. (C) Click image for full
size. $50-80
|
