, John Speed, 1676 . Superb title page from this prestigious English atlas. The title is presented in an elaborate architectural framework with alcoves featuring a native Britain at top flanked with the figures of four invaders - a Roman, Saxon, Dane, and Norman. The sheet was beautifully engraved by R. White for the Bassett and Chiswell edition.(A ) $450.00 - $550.00
, Jean Boisseau, 1646 . Jean Boisseau's world map marked a major change in cartographic style from the baroque to the more restrained style that gained popularity at the end of seventeen century. The customary allegorical and classical scenes surrounding the map have been replaced with more scientific features. There are two celestial spheres, compass roses displaying the compass points and wind names, panels of text with geographical and astronomical information, a diagram of the heavenly orbits, and a thirty-year calendar beginning in 1637. The geographical details are based on Henricus Hondius' map of 1630. It presents
California as an island, no Great Lakes, the Dutch discoveries on the Carpentaria coast of Australia, and
Queen Anne's forland (Baffin's Island) on the northeast coast of Canada. The outline of
Terra Australis Incognita is still in evidence but Le Maire Strait is shown at the tip of South America. Classical decorative elements within the map have been retained and include numerous sailing ships, sea monsters, and flying fish. This is the rare second state. French text on verso.(A+ ) $5,500.00 - $6,500.00
, Justus Danckerts, ca. 1680 . This is Danckerts' version of De Wit's splendid maritime world map. The cartographic features include the
island of California and open-ended Great Lakes on the Sanson model in North America. A remnant of Lake Parima is still shown in South America. In Africa, the Nile still rises from twin lakes and the interior is mostly guesswork. In Asia, Australia is represented only by the northern and western coastlines and Van Diemen's discoveries are shown in Tasmania and New Zealand. Above and below the map are polar projections, with only the tip of South America shown in the Antarctic sphere. Lively allegorical scenes representing the four elements surround the map. Fire is depicted by a fierce battle scene and the abduction of Persephone; air as the heavenly realm ruled by Zeus and Hera; water by Neptune with his entourage, sailing ships and a fantastic spouting whale; and earth by Demeter and two other earth goddesses in a peaceful scene of harvesting and husbandry. This is Danckerts' first of two similar maps, with geography identical to De Wit's original.(B+ ) $5,500.00 - $6,500.00
, Daniel Stoopendaal, ca. 1714 . This decorative double hemisphere world map was issued in a Dutch Bible published by the Keur family. It is based on Visscher's Bible map of 1663 and is surrounded by nearly identical engravings, which include numerous exotic animals and four female allegorical representations of the continents. At the top and bottom are two diagrams depicting the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system.
California is depicted as an island with a flat northern coast. Australia includes the western and northern coasts and the discoveries of Van Diemen. There are numerous Pacific islands including much of the western coastline of New Zealand. Dutch text on verso.(A+ ) $1,800.00 - $2,200.00
, Matthias Seutter, ca. 1735 . This is one of the most graphic 18th century world maps. The bold engraving style follows Carel Allard's map of 1696 with the central twin hemisphere map surrounded by several smaller maps on various projections. The
island of California is depicted five times on the sheet. In Asia, Japan is shown in a bizarre shape that incorporates a huge
Terra Yedso (Hokkaido). The coastlines of Australia and New Zealand are beginning to take shape, and New Guinea is shown twice - once in each hemisphere. The map is filled with detail including the tracks of several explorers. A richly engraved background of clouds with numerous wind heads, lesser spheres and two cartouches complete the stunning composition.(A ) $2,750.00 - $3,500.00
, Ambrosius Aurelius T Macrobius, [1527 ]. This work, written by Ambrosius Macrobius, is a commentary on Cicero's
Dream of Scipio. It includes a rare woodcut map of the world illustrating Cicero's interesting theories. This diagrammatic map (3.1 x 3.1") shows two distinct regions of the earth. The inhabited Afro-Eurasian continent was balanced by an unknown, and relatively equal, landmass (Temperata Antipodunobis Incognita) on the other side of an impassable torrid zone (Perusta) and a great boiling sea (Alveus Oceani). It was this notion of antipodean balance and landmass equivalence that continued to attract Renaissance minds to the otherwise outmoded geographical ideas of Macrobius. Distinguished cartographers like Mercator and Ortelius would later incorporate Macrobius model into an immense southern continent (Australis Incongita) to
balance the known lands of the world, and the division of the world into climactic zones is still in use today.
Macrobius was a 5th century Roman neoplatonic philosopher. His commentary on Cicero’s
Somnium Sciponis was of great influence in the Middle Ages and gained popularity with the advent of printing. First published in Brescia in 1483, numerous editions appeared throughout the 16th century. His commentary includes several chapters dealing with his own conception of the world and the universe. It also contains references to many facets of the scientific knowledge of his time, including references to physics, astronomy, and mathematics. Published by Johannes Soter in Cologne. The volume has been rebound (probably 18th century) using a manuscript leaf of vellum with a gilt stamped title attached to the spine, which may be a later addition. 18mo, title page, 463 pp (map at 110 p), and index.(A ) $2,100.00 - $2,500.00
, Heinrich Bunting, ca. 1581 . This fanciful map of the
Old World was drawn to represent the Trinity. The three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa are arranged in the form of a clover leaf with Jerusalem at the center. Three landmasses lie outside the trefoil: England and part of Scandinavia above, and in the lower left corner a portion of the
New World (
Die Newe Welt) appears. The woodblock map is beautifully engraved with waves in the oceans that are filled with sea monsters, a sailing ship and mermaids. Heinrich Bunting was a theological commentator from Hanover and devised the curious shape of the map from the arms of his home town. German text on verso.(A ) $7,000.00 - $8,000.00
, Mercator/Hondius, ca. 1606 . This influential map was the first separately printed map devoted to the Arctic. The hemisphere is surrounded by a floral design with four roundels in each corner. These contain the title, the Faeroe Isles, the Shetland Isles, and the mythical island of
Frisland. The North Pole is shown according to legend as a large rock in a giant whirlpool and surrounded by four islands separated by rivers. One of the islands is noted as being inhabited by pygmies. The magnetic north is depicted as a separate island rock just outside the polar mass. In North America, there is a very early reference to California (
California regio, sola fama Hispanis nota), curiously shown north of the
El streto de Anian. The map depicts the attempts of Frobisher and Davis to locate the northern passages to Asia. This is the second state of the plate with updates in the region north of Russia including undefined coastlines to one of the islands surrounding the pole and Nova Zemla. Blank verso. (A ) $2,500.00 - $3,250.00
, Andreas Cellarius, ca. 1661 . This is one of the finest celestial charts from the golden age of Dutch cartography. The map presents the constellations of the southern sky superimposed on a terrestrial map of the Americas; thus giving the effect that the stellar system is viewed from space. The terrestrial map shows North America as far as the
island of California and Chesapeake Bay. The constellations are presented in classical mythological form and include Ptolemaic constellations as well as those of Tycho Brahe, Plancius and Keyzer. Richly engraved in the baroque style with the title emblazoned across two drapes that are supported by putti and angels. The sphere is supported by Titans with a group of astronomers in the background. Second state with the plate number in the lower right border.(A+ ) $4,000.00 - $5,000.00
, Cellarius/Schenk & Valck, ca. 1708 . This stunning and uncommon celestial chart presents the constellations according to Christian symbolism. It is based on the work of the early 17th century astronomer, Julius Schiller, who sought to replace the traditional pagan symbols with ones derived from Judeo-Christian sources. Specifically, Schiller replaced the zodiacal constellations with the twelve apostles, the constellations north of the zodiac by figures from the New Testament and the constellations south of the zodiac by figures from the Old Testament. Instead of being projected from the pole, the map is centered on the vernal equinox and the ecliptic bisects the map instead of encircling it. On this chart, Gemini has been replaced by James (Jacobus), son of Zebedee; Cancer by St. John; Leo by St. Thomas; Virgo by St. James (Jacobus) the Less; Libra by St. Phillip; and Scorpio by St. Bartholomew. Abraham and Isaac have replaced the constellation Centauri, Noah's Ark has fittingly taken the place of the Argonaut, and King David has replaced the constellation Canis minor. This is one of the most unusual charts in the Cellarius compendium.(B+ ) $2,750.00 - $3,500.00
, A. Kircher, [1665 ]. This unusual volvelle is a rare page from Kircher's "Mundus subterraneus, quo universae denique naturae divitiae", this being from the 1665 Amsterdam edition. According to the Latin sub-title the volvelle is a calculator for determining tides. This six inch volvelle is on the top half of a sheet of Latin text (9"x 15"). The base image consists of a circle with 24 Roman numerals, presumably representing the hours of the day. The first rotating paper piece is the Lunar Index and is numbered from 1 to 30 with a fixed arm extending outward with a crescent moon at its tip. The second and upper piece is the Solar Index (Index Solis) which also contains a pointer. At its center is a Polar-like hemispheric map with four large imaginative land masses surrounded by water and islands. The two movable pieces are fixed to the sheet with a sting at the center, both rotate freely. This is a very early working calculator. The sheet has the page number "154" in the upper left.(A ) $250.00 - $300.00
, Willem Blaeu, [1635 ]. This stunning carte-a-figures map is a superb example of the fine art of decorative cartography and a seventeenth-century European view of the
New World. The coastal outlines generally follow Ortelius and Wytfliet with nomenclature from a variety of explorers and colonists. Panels at sides, each with five portraits of the native inhabitants were taken from John White (Virginia), Hans Staden (Brazil) and other early explorer's accounts. Across the top are nine town plans including Havana, St. Domingo, Cartegena, Mexico City, Cusco, Potosi, I. la Mocha in Chile, Rio de Janeiro and Olinda in Brazil. This is one of the few maps of the Americas by this famous Dutch cartographer. The map itself is similar to Blaeu's wall map of 1608 with the additional discoveries of Henry Hudson in North America, and Tierra del Fuego with Le Maire Strait. This is the third state of the plate with the imprint changed to Auct: Guiljelmo Blaeuw. Latin text on verso.(B+ ) $6,000.00 - $7,500.00
, Jean Baptiste Nolin, ca. 1792 . The era of exploration is dramatically shown on this rare map with the tracts of explorers shown, including Magellan, Mendana, Quiros, Le Maire, Bougainville, Furneaux and Cook. It was first issued by Jean Baptiste Louis Clouet in 1787 with a slightly different title (
Carte d'Amerique divisee en ses principaux Pays Dressee sur les Memoires les plus recents, et sur Differents Voyages). In this edition the plate has been revised to eliminate the erroneous Sea of the West and update the inset to reveal the discoveries of Captain Cook in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. In North America, the young United States is shown to include Florida and Nova Scotia with a huge Louisiana Territory beyond. In South America a large Paraquary takes in Buenos Aires. The decorative title cartouche features a female personification of America riding fierce alligator. Both states of the map are
extremely rare.(B+ ) $1,200.00 - $1,500.00
, Franz Anton Schraembl, 1788 . This is a scarce Austrian map based on the important Bowen & Gibson map of North America and the West Indies (Sayer & Bennett 1783 edition) and updated to include the surveys of Governor Thomas Pownall. The map provides an extremely detailed view of the continent at the conclusion of the
American Revolution. The United States is shown with its 1783 treaty border and the French and Spanish possessions are noted. It locates hundreds of settlements and Indian villages and is filled with interesting notations referring to native tribes and historical events. The settlement of
Chikagu (Chicago) is noted on the shores of Lake Michigan. A number of roads are shown on the map stretching all the way to the Southwest and into Mexico. There are two interesting inset maps. One shows the discoveries of Father Eusebius Kino in the Southwest that proved that California was not an island. The other illustrates the ongoing search for a
Northwest Passage, showing Baffin and Hudson Bays with the fictional
See de Fonte reaching nearly to Baffin Bay. The map was engraved by J. Stenger. Printed on four sheets (approximate dimensions given are for each sheet); if joined the map would measure approximately 40 x 46".(B ) $2,750.00 - $3,250.00
, Jacob Monk, 1854 . This majestic wall map was published just as the country was beginning to expand fully to the Pacific following the land gains after the Mexican War. The gold region in California is remarkably inaccurate with Auburn shown well north of Sacramento City and lying between it and the Marysville / Yuba City area. The Great Basin area is also inaccurate and roughly follows the Fremont model. Filled with wagon routes, explorer's trails, forts, Indian tribes, and so much more. The middle portion of the U.S. is unorganized but it's northern portion is labeled Indian Territory with only Indian nations named and colored. To the south is the huge
Proposed Territory of Nebraska. Minnesota includes Dakota, which is not named. In the west, only California and the territories of Oregon, New Mexico and Utah exist. Includes a table of distances and a table of counties and towns with more than 1,200 names. Large inset of the World on Mercator's projection. This spectacular wall map is embellished with decorative borders and numerous engraved sailing and steam/sail ships in the oceans. Complete with both original wooden rollers and original linen backing. Printed and published by Hoen & Company, Baltimore.(C+ ) $1,400.00 - $1,800.00
, Visscher/Shenk, ca. 1718 . This stunning map on two separate sheets, covers the Atlantic coast from the Carolinas to Newfoundland, and from the Grand Bank to the Great Lakes. It includes Lake Ontario and parts of Lakes Huron and Erie with a portion of Hudson Bay at the top. The map does not appear to be based on any one source, but draws from the Coronelli/Nolin map of 1689 as well as Dutch and English sources. It displays the divisions between the French and British colonies, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Carolina with meticulously engraved towns and topography. It depicts the colonial settlements along the seaboard and the rivers, while in the interior a number of native nations are shown. The southern portion of the map shows the May River leading from the fictitious
Apalache Lac , and the sea off the coast is called
The Sea of Virginy. Both sheets have compass roses and soundings noted along the coasts. One map contains the French title and the other the Latin title. They were clearly engraved in such a manner that allowed both unification as a two-sheet map and as individual maps, as can be seen by the guide lines inside each map. Size given is for each sheet. Engraved by Luggert van Anse. This is an apparently
unrecorded state. It includes the additional mountains and trees and Peter Schenk's imprint, but there is an embellishment of an Indian maiden added just above
Apalache Lac. We can find no image of this on any state we have examined.(A+ ) $3,000.00 - $4,000.00
, Henry Abraham Chatelain, ca. 1719 . Derived from Nicholas de Fer's important four-sheet map of 1718, this is the most informative map of the French possessions in North America in the early 18th century. Louisiana and the Mississippi Valley are based on Delisle's manuscript map of 1701, while the geography of New England and eastern Canada originates with Franquelin. Inset at top left is a large-scale map of the Mississippi Delta and Mobile Bay, based on the voyage of Pierre LeMoyne. Another inset plan and view of Quebec is enclosed in a very decorative cartouche at bottom right. The map is filled with wildlife, scenes of Indians hunting, Indian villages and notations, and the oceans are embellished with numerous ships, canoes and sea monsters. It was issued to promote the recently established Compagnie Francoise Occident, which was formed to fund the debt of Louix XIV and offered inducements to encourage settlement in Louisiana.(A+ ) $2,500.00 - $3,000.00
, James T. Lloyd, 1862 . This large Civil War era map covers the United States west to the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Indian Territory and East Texas. It is very detailed and filled with information including state and county boundaries, state capitals, wagon roads, turnpikes, railroads, forts, post offices, court houses, and light houses. Southern Florida is included in an inset. It also covers the adjacent parts of Canada illustrating the railroad network. An advertisement next to the title includes a list of Lloyd's maps, most of which were available varnished, mounted on linen, with rollers. The wall map version is generally found today and it is very rare to find this large map (printed on standard paper and issued folded) in undamaged condition.(A ) $800.00 - $950.00
, Samuel Augustus Mitchell, 1833 . This fine
pocket map shows the United States west to the Mississippi River and a little beyond to include a small portion of Missouri Territory. The map is very detailed and features nine insets; namely the Vicinity of Philadelphia, Washington, Charleston, Boston, New York, Cincinnati, Albany, New Orleans plus the Vicinity of the Falls of Niagara. The labyrinth of canals and early roads are clearly shown. The legend shows a dotted line for railroads but we can find none on this early issue. This series of maps, first published in 1832, was designed for the market represented by the burgeoning number of travelers and new immigrants. The maps were printed on thin bank note paper and folded so they could be carried easily for quick reference while traveling. Map folds into original red tooled and gilt covers with the original separate Index sheet which unfolds to the same size as the map. The map was "Engraved on steel by J.H. Young & D. Haines" and bears the copyright date of 1832. This is a rare edition given the inclusion of the large folding index sheet rather than the 78pp booklet. The cover is titled
Mitchell's Travellers Guide Through the United States.(B+ ) $750.00 - $850.00
, John Williams Norie, 1852 . This rare large-scale, blue-backed chart covers the eastern coast of the United States from St. Mary's inlet in Georgia to Penmanquid Point in Maine. Oriented with north to the right, the chart is densely engraved with navigational information including shoals, tidal directions, the gulf stream, soundings, and bottom textures. The numerous lighthouses are graphically illustrated with each hand-colored in red and yellow. Engraved by J. Stephenson, this is Norie's
New Edition of William Heather's chart of 1799. It was first issued in 1834, with this example updated to 1852.
John Norie (1772-1843) was a hydrographer, chart publisher, teacher and author of navigation manuals. He started out as a draftsman for William Heather, who he succeeded in 1812. Their business, located at 157 Lendenhall Street in London, became known as Naval Academy or Naval Warehouse. This preeminent cartographic firm exists today as Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson Ltd, still specializing in nautical charts.(B+ ) $3,250.00 - $3,750.00
, Seutter/Lotter, ca. 1760 . This is a notable pre-Revolutionary War era map based on Lewis Evans’ map of 1749, one of the first and most important maps of the region. This German version had wider circulation than the Evans map and therefore significant influence on the European view of the colonies. It extends from New England to the estuaries of the Delaware and Chesapeake. The British colonies are confined east of the Appalachian Mountains and are depicted with some early, inaccurate, boundary configurations. New Hampshire's entire eastern border is the Atlantic Ocean. Massachusetts is just below New Hampshire, but does not include Boston or Cape Cod, which are shown as part of Connecticut. New York is divided into three sections and includes the western part of Massachusetts and Vermont. The map is graphically engraved to shows mountains, forests, colonial settlements and Indian villages. Two ornate cartouches fill opposite corners of the map. The title is surrounded in an elaborate engraving featuring William Penn bartering with the natives and indigenous flora and fauna. The distance scale and map key are enclosed in a decorative cartouche with a compass rose. Lotter originally engraved this map for his father-in-law, Matthias Seutter. In 1756 he then succeeded Seutter and replaced the imprint with his own.(A ) $1,600.00 - $1,900.00
, Henricus Hondius, [1633 ]. This graphic map is Henricus Hondius' version of Capt. John Smith's important map of 1612, drawn from his brother's map of 1618. After the death of Jodocus Hondius in 1629, his widow sold a number of plates to Blaeu. Angry at the sale to a competitor, Henricus and Joannes Jansson engaged engravers to cut new plates, which were largely based on Jodocus' work. This is the 5th derivative of Smith's map. It is beautifully engraved with topographical features and the locations of scores of Indian villages. In the upper left corner is an engraving of the great Indian chief Powhatan seated on his throne and surrounded by his subjects. A Susquehanna chief, facing in toward Chesapeake Bay, is depicted on the right under a coat of arms. French text on verso.(A ) $2,400.00 - $3,000.00
, Anonymous, [1776 ]. This
Revolutionary Warperiod map encompasses the area of Eastern Pennsylvania through Long Island and south to include Chesapeake Bay. The map was issued to illustrate the British Army's objective of defeating Gen. Washington at Long Island and then to march to Philadelphia and put a quick end to the conflict. It is centered on Philadelphia, includes most of New Jersey, Delaware, Long Island, southwest Pennsylvania, northern Chesapeake Bay and the greater New York City area. The southern New Jersey coast is labeled
Sandy Barren Deserts. The map is filled with interesting features including Indian villages, towns and cities, ferries, and roads (including the distances between towns). Adorned with a simple compass rose.(A+ ) $230.00 - $275.00
, Gerritsz & de Laet, [1630 ]. This is one of three maps of North America that were included in De Laet's important work on the Americas. It greatly influenced the subsequent work of Blaeu, Jansson and Sanson. It was most likely engraved by Hessel Gerritsz, who drew on the cartography of Jacques le Moyne, as interpreted by Claesz. The Florida Peninsula is here named
Tegesta provinc, the name of an Indian tribe that lived on the southwest coast, while the larger region is called Florida. Much of the other nomenclature was drawn from the Chaves/Ortelius map of 1584 with the notable additional place names of St. Augustine and Tampa Bay. Near the western border is the
Bahia del Spiritu Santo which is fed by several large rivers.(A ) $3,000.00 - $3,750.00
, Jacques Nicolas Bellin, 1764 . Jacques Nicolas Bellin, chief cartographer to the French Navy, produced a number of important maps of the Gulf Coast. This is probably the most significant one of the region due to both its large size and the interesting depiction of the Florida peninsula as a massive archipelago of islands. The depiction of the river systems of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama is extremely detailed for the period and there are a good many Indian villages located, along with several French forts. In the gulf is a large-scale, finely rendered inset map of the mouth of the Mississippi. The chart extends to include the Bahama Channel, part of the Bahamas and the northern coastline of Cuba. This is the second state with the seal of the Depot de Marine added near the inset and Prix trente sols below the neatline at bottom left.(A ) $3,000.00 - $3,750.00
, E. Low, 1810 . This is a scarce map covering from the Atlantic seaboard to the Mississippi River, present-day Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. There is good topographical information, particularly for the eastern section. Early counties in Georgia are named and their boundaries given. The interior is labeled
Country of the Creek Nation of Indians with several other tribes located and the notation "These parts are little known." Several trading paths to the interior are shown. Engraved by John Scoles and first published in Payne's
New and Complete Universal Geography in 1799. This edition appears identical except for the date in the cartouche and the publisher's imprint below the bottom border.(B ) $500.00 - $700.00
, Josiah Gregg, [1844 ]. This is a landmark map of the western territories, mapping the area from Missouri, Kansas and Louisiana to the Rocky Mountains. This is the first edition of this map, published just before the more common Morse and Breese atlas map, also dated 1844, but published in 1845. Morse and Breese are named as publisher of this map as well. It shows the northern part of the
Republic of Texas reaching along the Rockies and has quite a bit of Indian Territory as well. New Mexico is shown, with Santa Fe as the destination of the route of the
Santa Fe Caravans. The map has many tracks of explorers and other routes shown, with topography, towns, villages, smaller villages and ranches, Indian villages, forts, trading posts, ruins, springs, and camps. This would have been a very valuable map for anyone considering traveling across the prairie in the mid 19th century. This the more desirable folding version published in Gregg's publication rather than the unfolded Morse & Breese atlas edition.
Josiah Gregg first went west in the 1830's to look for a cure for his tuberculosis. He recovered his health and traveled across the prairies as a merchant to Santa Fe, Texas and Mexico. He published his account of the region in 1844, which is the source of this map. Wheat calls this map a 'cartographic landmark'. The full title of Gregg's book is
Commerce of the Prairies: Or the Journal of a Santa Fe Trader, During Eight Expeditions Across The Great Western Prairies, and a residence of nearly nine years in Northern Mexico. Illustrated with Maps and Engravings.(B+ ) $750.00 - $900.00
, John Muir, [1888 ]. This is the complete set in two volumes. The title continues "California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, etc. Illustrated with Etchings, Photogravures, Wood Engravings, etc. by Eminent American Artists." Volume I: The frontispiece is the stunning sepia toned etching "The Half Dome - View from Moran Point" by Thomas Moran. Complete with 60 full page plates, each titled on the protective tissue sheet overlaying every plate. A few examples: El Carmel Mission (Henry Ihlefeld); Hotel del Monte, Monterey (Harry Fenn); The Yosemite Falls (C.D. Robinson); Vernal and Nevada Falls (Thomas Hill), The Sentinel (Julian Rix); Mule Train Crossing the Sierras (Frederick Remington); Mills College (Authur I. Keller); Los Angeles (Thomas Hill); Trinity Peaks (Julian Rix - Original etching); Palm Valley (Julian Rix); The Muir Glacier (Alaska - Thomas Hill); General View of Sitka (Victor Perard); Miners Prospecting for Gold (Frederick Remington) and many more.
Volume II: the frontispiece is the etching Falls in Alum Rock Park by George Spiel, in sepia toned ink. Complete with 61 full page plates, each titled on the protective tissue sheet overlaying every plate. A few examples: Redwoods on Boulder Creek (Julian Rix); Mount Rainier, from Lake Washington (W. Keith); Headwaters of the Grand (Colorado - J. Harrison Mills); A Navajo Sheep-Herder (Frederick Remington); Canon of the Rio Colorado (Julian Rix); The Indian Pueblo of Taos (Alexander Schilling); Napa Soda Springs (Thomas Moessner); Gold Gate from San Francisco Bay (Frederick S. Cozzens); State Capitol at Sacramento (E.J. Meeker); Sutter's Mill, in 1851 (George Spiel); Mount Hood (Julian Rix); Grand Canon of the Yellowstone (Thomas Hill); Santa Barbara Mission (J.P. Robertson) and many more.
This is a complete and stunning work filled with very fine full page plates. Hardbound in quarter calf, folio. Volume I, 240pp, 60 plates plus hundreds in the text. Volume II 237pp, 61 plates plus hundreds in the text. Matching bindings with foredge gold (TEG). Published by the J. Dewing Company, San Francisco and New York.(A ) $1,200.00 - $1,600.00
, [1848-1855 ].
Mission of San Diego, by Charles Koppel, from Report of Explorations in California for Railroad Routes…, circa 1855, hand color, (9.2 x 6.4"). This charming scene of San Diego is one of the earliest printed views of the mission. The mission was the location of San Diego's first military post and it was occupied by the Army from 1847 to 1857. This tinted lithograph is based on the drawing by Heinrich Moellhausen for the railroad survey by Lt. R.S. Williamson. Lower margin staining, image is very good. (A)
San Diego from the Old Fort, 1848, C.B. Graham, hand colored lithograph, (6.5 x 4"). Published in Emory's
Notes of military reconnaissance from Fort Leavenworth, Missouri, to San Diego, California... this is a Mexican War period and early view of San Diego. Some glue remnants in lower margin from binding, image is fine. (A)
Survey of San Diego River and its vicinity with a view to the Construction of a Levee and Canal to turn the river from its present course, by George H. Derby, from Senate Ex Doc. No. 1, 33rd Congress, 1st Session, 1853, black & white, ((12.3 x 15"). This map is the smaller issue of the San Diego survey by Abert and Derby that proposed a diversion of the San Diego River to resolve the problems of flooding during the rainy season. The map shows the nascent town of San Diego centered around its plaza, with Fort Stockton and the ruins of the old Presidio nearby. The roads are noted and labeled as leading to Los Angeles, as well as one to New S. Diego. Extends to include False Bay and San Diego Bay. Inset with an overview of the San Diego region. Lithography by J. Ackerman of New York. Lightly toned along folds and short binding trim tear closed on verso. (B+)() $200.00 - $250.00
, C. Koppel, [1856 ]. This lot contains two great tinted lithographs from the California Railroad surveys.
Los Angeles, by Charles Koppel.
This is the first depiction of Los Angeles. The plaza is on the left with the San Gabriel Mountains in the background. At right foreground on the hill is the former Mexican jail. Our Lady of the Angels church is at center. Ref: Deak #671; Reps (Urban) Fig. 29. Very nice example. (A+)
Mission and Plain of San Fernando.
This is the first depiction of the San Fernando Valley, the now urban northwest area of Los Angeles. This lovely scene shows the walled mission in left center, a rider on a horse, some cattle, and a native harvesting prickly pear fruit in the foreground. The San Gabriel Mountains are shown in the background. Full margins. Scattered foxing and a narrow damp stain along edge of top and left side. (B)() $350.00 - $450.00
, 1901 . This is a scarce and locally produced map of the Leadville Mining District. It is filled with an astounding mosaic of mineral claims, perhaps more than one thousand in all, each named and numbered. The mining claims listed in the table at lower left are also in overprinted color while the smaller claims are left uncolored. The map was printed on fine banknote-style paper by the Denver Litho. Co. Compiled from Official Records and other Reliable Sources by mining investment broker Charles F. Saunders.(A+ ) $200.00 - $300.00
, Sartine, 1780 . This is a superb map of the Florida Peninsula, covering from St. Mary's River to St. Joseph Bay. It provides excellent detail of the bays, inlets, rocks, shoals, islands and keys along the coast with soundings, towns, forts, and Indian villages. It also includes the Bahama Channel and some of the islands in the Bahamas, the Straits of Florida, and the northern coast of Cuba. Antoine Sartine was the French Minister of Marine and this chart was intended for use by the French Navy during the
American Revolutionary War. The seal of the Depot de Marine is at bottom center with
Prix Trois Livres below the neatline at right.(B+ ) $2,500.00 - $3,000.00
, William G. Bonner, [1849 ]. This map, derived from Bonner's landmark map of Georgia redesigned as a geological map for publication with the book, is the earliest Marcou listing for Georgia. It was published locally from Savannah by W.T. Williams. In it Williams has identified nine geological formations, each with distinctive hand coloring, to include Cretaceous, Tertiary, Marble, Coal, etc. Importantly, the large
Gold Region is shown in the northern portion of the state. Northern Georgia and western Carolina were the site of the first American gold rush which started in the 1820s-30s. The U.S. Mint, established in 1835, is shown within the gold region next to Dalhonega in Lumpkin County.
The map also locates
Elastic Sandstone to suggest the possible extent of Georgia’s
diamond fields. Diamonds were first discovered in Georgia in the early 1840s as a byproduct of gold mining in Hall County. A nice summary of the history of these diamond finds is discussed
here. The discovery is discussed in the book in the Hall County chapter which says "It is the opinion of several scientific gentlemen, that if proper attention were paid to this subject, large quantities of diamond might be found…"
The map also locates towns and villages, counties, roads, railroads, watershed, etc. The map is surrounded by a ruled border and further decorated by fancy lettering in the title. Engraved by Sherman & Smith and printed at Ackerman's, both in New York City. Bound in the original book "Statistics of the State of Georgia including an account of its Natural Civil, and Ecclesiastical History…and A Correct Map of the State," by George White. The book concentrates on descriptions of each of the counties. In the DeKalb section is one of the earliest mentions and a brief description of Atlanta, which was founded two years earlier. Hardbound in later orange cloth with new end papers. Quarto, 702pp including index.
This map is a good example of a geological map that was issued to promote the region where economic resources were found. Gold and diamonds certainly captured the public interest so they served an important part of the marketing of Georgia as presented in the publication.(B+ ) $800.00 - $1,000.00
, John Lodge, ca. 1783 . This dramatic engraving depicts this early
Revolutionary War battle from a decidedly British point of view. While the result was a victory for the British, they suffered huge losses and the battle demonstrated the colonial forces ability to stand up to regular army troops in a pitched battle. The view depicts Boston and the conflagration in Charlestown with British ships in the harbor. It is enclosed in a picture-frame style border. Engraved by John Lodge from a drawing by Mr. Millar.(B+ ) $350.00 - $425.00
, George Eldridge, 1908 . This large, linen backed sea chart is from Eldridge's series of
New Coast Charts that covered the northeastern coast from New York to Maine. covers Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket Island and the adjacent coastline of Massachusetts. There is excellent navigational detail throughout the chart. The legend locates 13 different type of buoys, prevailing currents, light houses, anchorages, rocks, shoals, bottom types and fishing grounds. Dotted lines illustrate the shipping lanes including distances between ports. On verso is the original paper label with title, with a price of $1.60, and a list of the other charts in the series.(B+ ) $2,400.00 - $3,000.00
, 1890 . Very rare map produced in New Mexico. It is filled with detail showing all towns and villages, with much watershed information and some topography. The legend indicates arroyos, canyons, surveyed townships, Rio and Grants confirmed and unconfirmed. Surrounding the title are listed the officers and Executive Committee members for the Bureau of Immigration. The president is in Las Vegas and other members are from either Santa Fe or Las Cruces. The Governor is listed as the Principle Executive Officer. The bureau was established in 1880 to manage the large number of immigrants who were often seeking the reportedly Tuberculosis-free climate of the territory. As one example, in 1882 New Mexico: The Tourists Shrine claimed "The lowest death rate from tubercular disease in America is in New Mexico. The census of 1860 and 1870 gives 25% [of all deaths] in New England . . . and 3% in New Mexico. The whole Territory has always been astonishingly free from epidemic disease…" A full-width panel at bottom informs the reader that larger land areas than offered by the U.S. may possibly be obtained directly from the Grant owners. We located only a few examples of this map in institutional collections.(A ) $300.00 - $500.00
, U.S. Geographical Survey, ca. 1890-1920 . This is a copper plate printing plate produced for the Department of the Interior. Mounted on nearly 1" thick hardwood this plate was obviously strongly built for a large printing run. The plate is about 1/8" thick and permanently attached to the supporting hardwood block, with the number 9246 on one side and the verso blank save for evidence of printer's ink. The surface of the map is etched in a pattern suggesting this is one plate for the chromozylography process. Areas not included in the printing show signs of machine work to remove copper. Copper plates used for printing maps are extremely rare as the copper was usually recycled as the map image became obsolete. (A+ ) $250.00 - $300.00
, 1874 . This extraordinary manuscript plan is drawn on oil cloth with red and black ink plus watercolor wash to create the three background colors. It is expertly drawn by a skilled draftsman and calligrapher. The plan shows the two claims in remarkable detail to "indicate the Position of the Shaft and other workings and also the relative Position of the "Bute and Florinda Mining Claims." The plan also shows the extent of the City Rock claim which is immediately adjacent to the other claims. The plan is filled with detail including the location of Open Cuts, Incline Discovery Shafts and more. The claims span across the divide between the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, now a popular hiking and skiing area east of Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Range. This area was a hotbed of mining activity in the 1870's even attracting investment money from as far away as Britain and Europe. Dated May 14 and 15, 1874 this hand drawn map is signed in an unintelligible hand by the "U.S. Deputy Mineral Surveyor for Utah."(A ) $180.00 - $250.00
, James Whitelaw, 1809 . This early and scarce map of the state details counties, towns and villages, waterways, lakes, and mountains. Scores of named townships are delineated and counties are named and located. Fancy titling and compass rose. This is the updated 1809 edition.
The map is in the original two volume
The Natural and Civil History of Vermont in Two Volumes (Ref: Howes W478; Sabin 104350) by Samuel Williams, LL. D., printed by Samuel Mills in Burlington. This is an extensive history of Vermont by Samuel Williams. First published in 1794 this is the second edition, which in 1809 was greatly expanded and enlarged. The two volume set includes chapters on natural history, resources, climate, vegetable production (with a scientific discussion on the effect of trees on the environment), native Indians, and a history on early settlements. Also has socially related sections on the relations with the neighboring states, customs, government, and a historical look at the American Revolution. Hardbound in full leather, vol. I 515pp, vol. II 487pp, title pages, Preface, Contents, text, map.(A ) $400.00 - $600.00
, Didier Robert de Vaugondy, [1777 ]. These five depictions of California on one sheet present a fascinating cartographic history of California. The first map reproduces Neron Pecci's map of 1604 showing the peninsula with a ragged coastline and place names derived from Cabrillo's voyage of 1542-3. The second map is a detail from Sanson's 1656 map showing the
island of California with place names from the voyage of Vizcaino. Map three is from Delisle's map of America in 1700 with the question of California's insularity left open to interpretation. Map four is Kino's important map of 1705 that finally ended the cartographic myth. Lastly, map five is a portion of a Spanish map, showing the Jesuit explorations, that first appeared in Miguel Venegas'
Noticia de la California in 1757, and is the first published history of California.(A+ ) $600.00 - $700.00
, John Tallis, ca. 1850 . This is the second, and most desirable, state of this fine steel engraved map that was issued during a time of great transition in the region. After gold was discovered in California, the plate was re-engraved to include a vignette of gold panning and to locate the
gold regions of California which are delineated through hand coloring. Texas is shown with its original state borders that include much of present-day New Mexico and extends into Colorado. Two other vignettes show Mexican peasantry and the ancient Mayan ruins at Uxmal. The very decorative border incorporates native plants of the region. Map drawn and engraved by John Rapkin, vignettes drawn by H. Warren and engraved by J. Rogers.(A ) $400.00 - $500.00
, Depot de la Marine, 1800 . This large, scarce chart is the French version of Jose del Rio's important survey of 1798. The harbor is annotated with a systematic network of soundings and the city plan and fortifications are linked to an extensive key below the title. Engraved by Etienne Collin with lettering (ecrit) by Besacon. This state is not noted by Cueto; having the No. 177 instead of 170. Prix un Franc 50 is at lower right.(A+ ) $750.00 - $850.00
, Andreas Antonius Horatius, [1698 ]. This striking map covers the province of Paraiba and illustrates its important rivers and prosperous sugar plantations. It was one of 23 maps from this rare account of the Dutch-Portuguese colonial war. Written by Joao José de Santa Teresa, and known among bibliophiles as the
Santa Teresa, it is considered one of the most sumptuous 17th century works on Brazil, in part due to the incredible maps. Santa Teresa, a Portuguese Carmelite, spent twelve years in the Jesuit missions of South America and then returned to Europe where he became librarian of the college of the Jesuits in Rome. His account was heavily subsidized by Pedro II of Portugal, and some of the period's leading artists and engravers, including Antonio Horacio Andreas, were engaged to work on the project. It was published by Giacomo Giovanni Rossi. The map itself is beautifully drawn and provides an excellent view of the region with bays, rivers and streams carefully delineated. There are numerous settlements and churches located as well as a network of early roads. A large compass rose orients the map with north to the right. The map is elaborately adorned with putti supporting the ribbon-style title cartouche and royal coat of arms, and sea monsters supporting the shell-shaped distance scales cartouche.(B+ ) $1,000.00 - $1,500.00
, Claude Bartholemy Morisot, [1643 ]. This rare map of the Strait of Magellan appeared in the first comprehensive book on naval and maritime history. The map is printed on a sheet (8.3" x 14") with Latin text on the lower half and a full page text on the verso. This map shows a large island of Tierra del Fuego to the south of the strait and an un-named land to the north, both covered with mountains. There is a decorative title cartouche in the lower left. We find no prior recorded sales of this map.
Morisot (1592-1661) was one of the great intellectuals of his time and his works enjoyed great success.
Orbis Maritimi is an extensive encyclopedia of everything relating to maritime affairs. The great European expeditions to the coasts of Africa and North America were extensively described. The book contained 44 engraved plates including 23 maps. Later editions did not contain the plates, thus they are quite rare.(B+ ) $250.00 - $350.00
, John Narbrough, ca. 1711 . In 1670, John Narbrough was the first Englishman to sail through the Strait of Magellan in both directions; thus demonstrating the falsity of the accepted wisdom that the wind and currents would prevent any eastward passage of the strait. He had been commissioned by James, Duke of York (later James II), to sail to South America to investigate potential trade possibilities. Narbrough's expedition proved that a profitable trade with South America was possible, and this set the course of Britain's foreign policy for the next half century. A skilled mapmaker himself, Narbrough was assisted by Greenvile Collins - who later became Hydrographer to the King and assembled the first British coasting pilot. Their description of the Strait of Magellan provided the basis for British charts of the strait until the time of Captain Cook. The map provides a detailed view of the tortuous course of the strait with soundings and safe anchorages carefully noted. There are several notations along the coasts describing the countryside. A large inset map shows Patagonia and Terra del Fuego. This rare, untitled map, engraved by John Sturt, is embellished with elaborate compass roses and a large dedication cartouche. This is the second edition with the dedication changed from Samuel Pepys to Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford, and Lord High Treasurer between 1711 & 1714. We can find no record of either states of this map being on the market in the past 25 years.(B ) $1,600.00 - $2,000.00
, Louis Denis, 1782 . This handsome chart of the North Atlantic was drawn to illustrate the important trade routes between Europe and North America and the West Indies. It also shows the theater of the America
Revolutionary War in which France and Spain joined the Americas against Britain, in part to secure stronger positions in transatlantic trade. The chart is centered on a large compass rose and extends to show a good portion of the landmasses with detail concentrated along the coastlines. In North America the rivers and Great Lakes are included with the locations of several forts. The trade routes are carefully laid out, colored and labeled. The title cartouche has a nautical and military theme with the arms of Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, Lt. General de Police, to whom the map is dedicated. This rare map was separately published by Basset.(B+ ) $1,700.00 - $2,100.00
, Hondius/Blaeu, ca. 1644 . This handsome copper engraved map of Iceland was based on information from a Dutch navigator named Joris Carolus in about 1620. The map shows the influence of both versions of Bishop Gudbrandur's previous maps, a coastline resembling the Ortelius version, and Mercator's selection and spelling of many place names. The island's topography is dominated by huge mountains and volcanoes and its shoreline is a rugged labyrinth of fiords. It is richly embellished with title and distance scale cartouches, compass roses, rhumb lines, a sailing ship and two sea monsters. The cartouche features two winged sprites, an important symbol in Icelandic and Norse mythology. Along with elves and dwarves, sprites were magical beings who aided the gods. The map was first issued by Jodocus Hondius and then re-issued by Willem Blaeu with his imprint. It became the prototype for the mapping of Iceland and its influence did not wane until the mid-18th century.(B+ ) $1,100.00 - $1,300.00
, Abraham Ortelius, [1579 ]. Ortelius based this influential map on the work of earlier authorities including Mercator, Zeno and Magnus. Of particular interest are the mythical islands of
Brasil, Frisland, Drogeo, Icaria, and
St. Brendan. Part of Mercator's imaginary polar continent is depicted with a note that it is inhabited by pigmies. Iceland (
Islant, Thule) is basically unchanged from Mercator´s map of Europe from 1554 with the shape originated by Zeno. Greenland is separated from Europe by a wide sea and a portion of North America appears in the upper left corner with the name
Estotilant. The map is adorned with a variety of very inventive creatures including a half-man, half-sea creature playing a lute. Latin text on verso.(A ) $2,300.00 - $2,750.00
, Abraham Ortelius, ca. 1579 . This handsome map was based on Gerard Mercator's 1554 map of Europe and incorporates Magnus' information on Scandinavia and Jenkinson's map for Russia. The map extends to include Iceland and part of Greenland, and there is a tiny bit of Labrador intruding into the map at upper left. It also extends into western Asia and Northern Africa based on Gastaldi's cartography. Finely engraved with a stippled sea and modestly adorned with a sailing ship, compass rose, and a tent encampment in Russia. The personification of Europa being abducted by Zeus in the form a bull graces the title cartouche. This is Ortelius' first map of Europe, which was replaced in 1584 with a new copper plate.(B+ ) $950.00 - $1,200.00
, Johannes Blaeu, ca. 1662 . Magnificent map of Anglo-Saxon Britain flanked by elaborate vignettes depicting kings and scenes from Saxon history. The scenes are identical in subject matter to those used by John Speed. However they are presented in the dramatic, Dutch miniature style. The left border contains portraits of the earliest kings, while the right one depicts later kings in the process of conversion to Christianity. Included is a scene of Ethelbert receiving instruction from Saint Augustine and another of Sebert re-consecrating the temples of Diana and Apollo, now St. Paul's, London and St. Peters, Westminster. The map shows England, Scotland and Wales divided into the various Saxon kingdoms, each decorated with its coat-of-arms. A superb example of Dutch cartographic design and engraving. French text on verso.(A+ ) $3,750.00 - $5,000.00
, John Ogilby, ca. 1675 . The road begins at West Chester and proceeds south through Wrexham, Llanfylin, and Newton and ends at Vunneth-Llanbader. Each of the six panels has a decorative compass rose to orient the traveler. Title cartouche in a strapwork and garland style flanked by putti with the royal coat of arms below.(A ) $325.00 - $375.00
, Jan Jansson, ca. 1653 . This is a nice example of Jansson's map of Scotland. It extends to include the Hebrides and has an inset of the Orkney Islands. It is beautifully decorated with the title cartouche topped by the arms of Scotland with the royal coat of arms of James VI above.(B+ ) $600.00 - $750.00
, W. & A.K. Johnston, 1857 . This scarce pocket map details the city with delicate hand coloring to the parks, meadows, rivers and lakes. The map extends to include the harbor with breakwaters and the Victoria Dry Docks, to Cairntwos in the southeast and to Granton in the northwest. Numerous toll booths are shown along certain roads. Locates the Piershill Barracks, cemeteries, commercial buildings including numerous brick and tile works, hospitals, etc. Delineates the railways including the Edinburgh & Glasgow railway, the North British Railway and the Edinburgh, Leith and Granton railway. Blank verso. Attached to original pictorial paper covers (5" x 7.3") with fancy scroll work, a coat of arms on the cover and decorative flourishes at each corner. The back cover lists for sale "The Counties of Scotland, with Memoir of Scottish Geography, Index, etc.," and other maps including the case map "Knox's Environs of the City of Edinburgh," 31" c 22".(B+ ) $250.00 - $350.00
, Strada, ca. 1632 . The most famous of all cartographic curiosities is the Leo Belgicus, in which the Low Countries were depicted in the form of a lion. This curious form of cartography is one of the highpoints in the Golden Age of mapmaking. Based on the original 1538 Aitsinger form with the lion standing facing right with a paw raised and holding a shield. This is the largest of the Famianus Strada versions, used as a frontispiece for part two of his pro-Spanish and pro-Catholic book on the Dutch war of independence. It is beautifully engraved with a stippled sea filled with ships and a sea monster. While the miniature Leo Belgicus maps are occasionally found on the market, the larger ones are quite rare.(A ) $6,000.00 - $8,000.00
, de Fer, Nicolas, 1705 . This is the fifth map in a series of ten that illustrates the growth of the city of Paris. This map shows its growth under Charles V and Charles VI between 1367 and 1383. During this period major improvements in the defensive system of Paris were undertaken including the third wall on the north side of the city. There was considerable growth on the north side within this new wall and on the south side, outside the walls. The cartouches at right provide a detailed description of the changes and the cartouche at lower left provides an extensive key to the map. Designed and engraved by A. Coquart.(B+ ) $700.00 - $800.00
, Abraham Ortelius, [1584 ]. This is one of the earliest and most beautiful maps of Portugal. It is oriented with north to the right and richly adorned with two large cartouches, sailing ships and a very devilish-looking sea monster. The map is based on Fernando Alvarez Secco's map of 1560. The cartouche at bottom contains a dedication to Cardinal Camerlengo, Guido Ascanius Sfortia, from Secco that enumerates the great achievements of Portugal. This is from the first copper plate from the Latin edition of 1584.(A+ ) $475.00 - $550.00
, Johann Carl August Richter, [1735 ]. This is a unique panoramic view of Prague as seen from the old town across the Vltava River. The focus of the view is the Stone Bridge (now known as the Charles Bridge) in the foreground and the Prague castle overlooking the river. The bridge is lined with 30 statues that were erected between 1683 and 1714. Printed on two joined sheets, as issued.(A ) $1,000.00 - $1,200.00
, Hondius/Jansson, ca. 1632 . This rare carte-a-figures map of Switzerland was engraved by Jodocus Hondius II and issued in an 'experimental' atlas by Jan Jansson to test the market for a proposed new work. The experiment met with little success and few editions were produced. The map also appeared in a few other atlases including Jean Boisseau’s
Theatre des Gaules. Men and women representing the nobility, merchant, and peasant classes flank the map. At top are panoramic vignettes of five major cities and at bottom two more bird's eye views (Basel and Zurich) flank the distance scale. Geographically the rugged terrain and numerous lakes are nicely shown. Blank verso.(B ) $1,200.00 - $1,800.00
, Braun & Hogenberg, ca. 1617 . This bird's-eye view of Moscow is Braun & Hogenberg's second plan of the then capital city of Russia. It is shown from the northeast with the Moskva River curving through the city. The fortified Kremlin is at the core of the city with the Neglinnaya River forming a protective moat to supplement the original city walls. A second wall built in 1534-38 encloses the
Kitaigorod, or the trader's quarter, with the suburbs, called
Bielgorod, enclosed in a third tower studded wall. The major buildings and churches are identified in a key at right.(A ) $1,400.00 - $1,800.00
, Adam Olearius, [1647 ]. Adam Olearius was a participant in the German embassy to Moscow and Persia in 1633. He traveled extensively in Russia and his account of the expedition is one of the most important early accounts of European travels in Russia. His bird's-eye plan shows the city situated at the junction of the Moskva and Neglinnaya Rivers, which form a moat protecting all but the northeast flank of the Kremlin. The map shows the Kremlin and old city, Kitay-gorod, at center. These are surrounded by successive rings of fortifications in an elegant and superbly well-protected metropolis. The plan is ornamented with a fine title cartouche, a coat of arms, and an extensive key to the numbered features, quarters and buildings.(A+ ) $1,600.00 - $2,000.00
, Matthaus Merian, ca. 1642 . Merian's panoramic view of Rome is a reduction of Antonio Tempesta's monumental map of 1593. Oriented with north to the left, it shows the city at the height of the Italian Renaissance. The projection provides a particularly graphic view of many of the important buildings, churches and monuments, including many that have subsequently been demolished. Printed on two joined sheets, as issued.(A ) $1,800.00 - $2,200.00
, Hondius/Purchas, ca. 1625 . Reduced version of Hondius' folio map of Cyprus with insets of the Mediterranean islands; Lemnos (Stalimini), Chios, Lesbos (Mitilene), Euboia (Negroponte), Kythera (Cerigo) and Rhodes. On a full sheet (8 x 12.2") of English text. This map is from Samuel Purchas' publication which is one of the largest and most important collections of voyages and travels in the English language. The four volumes describe the major voyages of exploration and discovery prior to 1625. Most of the maps were originally from the Mercator/Hondius Atlas Minor.(B+ ) $400.00 - $500.00
, Rossi, 1684 . This rare folio sheet contains two superb views of the strategic region between the Mediterranean and Black seas. At top is a finely rendered bird's-eye panorama of Constantinople from across the Bosphorus. A legend names and locates 18 important buildings, such as the Seraglio, Hagia Sophia, several mosques, etc. The Galata Tower is shown, as is the entrance to the Golden Horn before any bridges were built. At bottom is a bird's-eye view of the Dardanelles, which is guarded by the European fortress of Sesto (Sestos) and Abido, (Abydos) its counterpart in Asia.(A ) $2,400.00 - $2,750.00
, Cornelis de Bruyn, ca. 1698 . This incredible panoramic view measures more than six feet in width. It provides a very impressive and detailed view of the great capital of the Ottoman Empire. The Dutch painter and traveler, Cornelis de Bruyn, traveled to Constantinople and the empire between 1677 and 1684. All the spires, minarets, mosques and especially the Aya Sophia are depicted here and the Bosphorus is filled with a variety of ships and boats. De Bruyn's account of his travels through the Ottoman empire between 1677 & 1684 was profusely illustrated with engravings made from his drawings and sketches, which are noted for their objectivity and exactness. Printed on 3 joined sheets, as issued. The view is too large to be photographed in its entirely, thus there are 3 images. First published in 1698 with a French translation in 1700 and an English edition in 1702.(A ) $2,750.00 - $3,250.00
, Hartmann Schedel, [1493 ]. This double-page woodcut illustration of the city of Jerusalem is one of the more detailed views in the
Nuremberg Chronicle. It is an imaginary view of the destruction of Jerusalem, with towers toppled and the Temple of Solomon engulfed in flames. It is actually a synopsis of six separate holocausts described in the text. Major points in the city are identified with text notations. Of special interest, in the upper left of the image, are the figures of Satan tempting Jesus on top of the mountain. There is German text above the view and on verso with other illustrations.(A ) $1,500.00 - $1,900.00
, Abraham Ortelius, ca. 1579 . Ortelius' great map of Asia was based on his wall map of 1567, which was in turn based on the work of Gastaldi and various other sources. This map was the standard map of Asia for more than forty years. The cordiform projection shows Asia extended too far to the east, an error propagated with Ptolemy. Japan is in a 'kite' form taken from Jesuit sources. Luzon is absent from the Philippines and the mythical lake
Cayamay lacus is located in southern China. There are a great number of islands in the East Indies, but not well placed, due to the secrecy of voyages to the region. The title is emblazoned onto a large strapwork cartouche. This is the second, re-engraved plate that was published from 1575 onwards. Latin text on verso.(B+ ) $1,500.00 - $2,000.00
, Hondius/Jansson, 1632 . This superb map was first issued in 1623, in response to fierce competition with the Blaeu family whose own carte-a-figures map of Asia was published in 1617. The map conforms to the Blaeu model in most respects, except in the delineation of the northeastern coastline of Asia, which does not extend in to the Arctic. The map extends from the Arabian peninsula through the East Indies. There is a wide expanse of ocean between the east coast of Asia and America, which is conveniently hidden by Jansson's signature cartouche. Korea is shown as a long peninsula and Japan is based on the Ortelius/Teixeira model. The upper border features town plans of the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East and at sides are panels showing various costumes of people throughout the continent. Two hunters flank the title cartouche and the sheet is embellished with European ships, a Chinese sampan and a sea monster. The carte-a-figures version of this map is rare because a new smaller map without the borders, prepared by Henricus Hondius and Jan Jansson in 1631, replaced it in most editions of the Mercator/Hondius atlases. Dutch text on verso.(B+ ) $3,500.00 - $4,500.00
, Carel Allard, ca. 1700 . This large, beautifully engraved map of Asia is particularly significant for its depiction of Russia, Siberia, and parts of Chinese Tartary. The information on this region was taken from Nicolas Witsen's 6-sheet map of Tartary from 1687 as noted above the bottom border. Witsen gathered much of this information from the governor of Tobolsk, and formulated a completely new interpretation of the northeast extremity of the continent, shown here in an inset. It shows a long mountainous peninsula,
Ys Caap (Icy Cape), which was believed to render it impossible to sail around northern Asia to reach the wealth of the East Indies. Witsen's influential map became the standard model for the mapping of Asia until the expeditions of Bering (1725-1749). The rest of the map draws mainly on De Wit's maps of Asia, except that Allard presents a completely different, and apparently unique, configuration of the Black and Caspian Seas. The fabulous title cartouche features the personification of Asia receiving tribute from a number of her subjects.(A ) $1,600.00 - $2,000.00
, N. Sanson/Mariette, 1656 . This important and attractive French map of China is based on an indigenous Chinese map copied by Jesuit, Matteo Ricci, and brought back to Rome in 1590 by his fellow Jesuit, Michele Ruggieri. The map extends to include the northern tip of the Philippines and a curiously curved Korean peninsula. Korea was usually shown as an island in the 17th century, so Sanson's depiction is a cartographic improvement. The Great Wall forms the northern boundary and the map is filled with rivers, mountains and villages. A detailed explanation panel in bottom right is surmounted by Pheme, the personification of fame and renown. Engraved by Jean Somer.(A ) $1,600.00 - $2,000.00
, Jan Jansson, ca. 1636 . An elegantly engraved map of the region with China (bounded in the northwest by the Great Wall) dominated by several large lakes. The fictitious
Chiamay Lacus is shown with numerous rivers flowing south into India and Siam. Korea is depicted as a strangely shaped island separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. Taiwan is located in a roughly correct position, named as both
Pakan al I. Formosaand
Tayoan The three main islands of Japan are shown on the Ortelius/Teixeira model. The map is richly embellished with European sailing ships and Chinese sampans, a decorative distance scale, and a title cartouche flanked by a Chinese man and woman. Spanish text on verso.(B ) $1,800.00 - $2,300.00
, Jean de Fontaney, [1708 ]. This scarce map is a birds-eye plan of the small town and surrounding vicinity to include two islands and the "Riviere de Nangasaki." The legend names six places keyed to the map. Jean de Fontany was a Jesuit and a mathematician who was in Southeast Asia and China on several occasions. He did not visit Nagasaki but learned enough from Chinese merchants to create this view. The map shows the Dutch trading post within Nagasaki as Fontany was unaware it was on an artificial island. He also erroneously shows the Bay of Nagasaki as a river.(B+ ) $325.00 - $375.00
, ca. 1856 . This map was reportedly produced by Kageyama Chikyo in "Ansei 3" or 1856. The map shows the Sumida area which is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo. It is in the northeastern part of Tokyo and is bounded by the Sumida and Arakawa rivers. This colorful woodblock pocket map folds into hard paper covers in bright blue with a paper label on the front. According to information received from Lutz Walter, author of
Japan A Cartographic Vision, this is probably one out of a set of 32 maps, covering all of Edo, which are called
kiri-e-zu or "section map". They were most likely used by the townspeople rather than so called on-the-road people.
(A ) $500.00 - $700.00
, Lorenz Fries, ca. 1525 . This interesting map is based on Waldseemuller's first "modern" map of southern Asia. It follows that cartography without change but adds an interesting array of vignettes purporting to depict the cultures of the region. The most interesting of these is a scene in Northern India of a goat-like man setting fire to a young woman. The map covers from the Horn of Africa through the Malaysian peninsula and cartographically is a great improvement over Medieval maps of the region.(A ) $1,500.00 - $1,800.00
, Giovanni Battista Ramusio, ca. 1606 . This fine woodcut map of Sumatra (Taprobana) is the
first separate map of an Indonesian island to be based on actual empirical data. Based on the observations of the Parmentier brothers, Frenchmen who ran the Portuguese blockade of the East Indies and landed on the west Sumatran coast. Both brothers died of fever and their crew did not acquire a great deal of wealth, which dissuaded the French from sending further expeditions. Prior to Ramusio's map, Sumatra had been confused with Sri Lanka and maps of the island contained conjectural geography based primarily on Marco Polo. The map is oriented with south at the top and the shape of the island and many of its features are quite accurately portrayed. However, the nearby coastlines of Malaysia and Java are completely missing, although several of the surrounding small islands, such as
Bancha (Banca) are shown. Charming scenes in the interior shows vegetation, animals, and native figures at work and play, and there are numerous ships and creatures in the sea. There is evidence of worming on the woodblock.(A+ ) $600.00 - $800.00
, Abraham Ortelius, 1570 .
This striking map is one of the cornerstone maps of Africa and remained the standard map of Africa well into the seventeenth century. It was designed by Ortelius from elements of contemporary maps by Gastaldi, Mercator, and Forlani and used several recent sources: Ramusio in
Navigationi et Viaggi (1550), Joao de Barros in
Decadas da Asia (1552), and Leo Africanus in
Historiale description de l'Afrique (1556). The majority of the nomenclature is taken from Gastaldi. The Nile is based on the Ptolemaic concept, originating from two large lakes south of the equator. Curiously Ortelius did not represent the Mountains of the Moon (a prominent feature on most prior maps) and the twin lakes are not named. Ortelius introduced two important changes to the shape of the continent on this map; the Cape of Good Hope is more pointed, and the eastward extension of the continent was reduced significantly. The map is decorated with a strap work title cartouche, a grand sea battle (copied from Diego Gutierez' wall map of the Americas), and sea monsters. The presence of the
ghost monster is barely visible in the sea off the Arabian peninsula. This beautiful map was engraved by Frans Hogenberg who engraved many of the maps for the
Theatrum. This is an early impression, published in the 1579 Latin edition.(B+ ) $2,000.00 - $2,500.00
, Frederick de Wit, ca. 1680 . The information contained in this beautiful map of the African continent is typical of the late 17th Century. The Nile appears according to the ancient pattern of Ptolemy, arising from the two lakes of
Zaire and
Zafflan. De Wit's depiction of the southeastern coast includes numerous deep inlets and several rivers and lakes at the southern tip not seen on other maps of the period. The kingdom of Monomotapa extends as far south as the
Rio de Infante and there are few names in the interior of the Cape. The fictitious
N. I. de Sta. Helena appears in the South Atlantic. The interior is decorated with elephants, ostriches, monkeys, lions and rhinoceros, and seven small ships sail in the oceans. The well-engraved title cartouche features Moors and Africans with a child seated on an elephant and two lions perched atop the cartouche. This map was copied by several other cartographers including Danckerts and De Ram.(A ) $1,100.00 - $1,500.00
, Braun & Hogenberg, ca. 1572 . This striking bird's-eye view of Cairo and the surrounding countryside includes depictions of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Several people are illustrated in the foreground including a cavalry engaged in exercises, travelers on the roads, veiled women and a man picking dates. Boats and crocodiles fill the Nile River. A legend describing the view is enclosed in a strapwork cartouche at bottom right. The text above the view of the pyramids reflects the disdain with which the non-Christian nations were viewed at the time. "These pyramids were nothing but an idle display of royal wealth. In this way the kings, or rather the crowned beasts, namely hoped to make their names immortal on earth and to keep their memory alive for a long time. Nothing in the world is of less fame, however, since neither the architect nor the insane king who built a pyramid is recorded." This is one of the few views of cities outside of Europe that were included in the
Civitates. Latin text on verso.(A ) $800.00 - $950.00
, John Wolfe, [1598 ]. This splendid map, from the English edition of Jan Huygen van Linschoten's
Itinerario, is one of the most richly ornamented maps in early cartography. It was originally designed by Arnold Floris van Langren and was re-engraved for this edition by Robert Beckit. The map covers the southwestern coast of Africa from the Gulf of Guinea to just beyond the Cape of Good Hope with excellent detail along the coastline. The fictitious cities of
Vigiti Magna and
Monomotapa are located and most place names and geographical features have Portuguese nomenclature. The mainland is embellished with snakes, an elephant, a rhinoceros, a lion and a pair of sirens in Lake Zaire. The balance of the sheet is filled with fabulous cartouches, the Portuguese arms, elaborate compass roses, sailing ships and a sea monster. The large bottom cartouche encloses views of Ascension and St. Helena Islands; important refueling ports in the route around Africa. The English title is in the lower part of the cartouche, "The Description of the Coast of Guinea, Manicongo, and Angola, and to Proceeding Forwards beyond the Cape de Bona Speranza…" This English edition is very uncommon.(A ) $4,000.00 - $5,000.00
, Anthony Finley, 1833 . This is an important and complete American published atlas that appeared in several editions published between 1824-34; this atlas is dated 1833 on the title page. Each finely engraved copperplate map is in original, full hand color. The
North America map shows the United States ending at today's boundary, with New Caledonia above and
Russian Possessions above and extending to the Arctic Circle. The map of Mexico includes what will become the independent Republic of Texas in 1836, here labeled "Coahuala and Texas." Also featured is the uncommon,
Map of the West Coast of Africa from Sierra Leone to Cape Palmas, including the colony of Liberia which has an inset of Monrovia. The two thematic charts are "Comparative Heights of the Principal Mountains &c. in the World" and the "Comparative Length of Rivers." Bound in original marbled boards with red morocco leather and original paper title label on front cover. Folio. Title page, table of contents, three tables; statistical, length of rivers and height of mountains and 62 maps engraved by Young & Delleker, four of which are double page. With Finley's original paper label on the inside front cover listing other maps for sale with price. This is a good example of an important and increasingly difficult to find atlas.(B+ ) $4,000.00 - $6,000.00
, Rogers & Johnston, [1857 ]. This important and rare atlas was a collaboration between the British cartographer Alexander Keith Johnston and the American geographer Henry Darwin Rogers. Their combined efforts produced one of the finest groups of U.S. maps in the 19th century, most notably the outstanding maps of the western States and Territories. There are 23 expertly rendered double-page maps, each with a crisp engraving and a combination of hand and lithograph coloring, plus the Index map. In the back of this terrific atlas are nine city plans printed on five sheets, Plates 25 - 29. The
General Map of the United States delineates "Free and Slave Holding States", and has a key explaining which states exported, and which imported slaves. The
Territory of Nebraska is particularly eye-catching as it is tremendously detailed and encompasses the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming. Other important maps in this atlas include the
Territory of Minnesota that shows early county configurations,
Territory of New Mexico with details including mines, Indian villages and ruins, and
Territories of Washington and Oregon with numerous forts, Indian tribes and early development west of the Cascades. The
Territory of Utah has a long note in the map, credited to Fremont's Report, discussing the Great Basin's elevation, topography and its numerous land-locked rivers and lakes. The inhabitants here are described as "savage tribes which no traveller has seen or described." This is certainly one of the rarest of all maps of the Utah Territory. The proposed route of the Pacific Railway is shown in purple and winds its way across the maps of the western U.S. Several of these maps appear in no other atlas, making this an exceptionally desirable example. Small folio, complete. Hardbound in green cloth with quarter calf, embossed gilt titling with gilt to all edges of maps (TEG).(B+ ) $4,000.00 - $6,000.00
, Koeman, 1967-1985 . We are pleased to offer a complete set of Koeman's original six volume reference, a "Bibliography of terrestrial, maritime and celestial atlases and pilot books, published in the Netherlands up to 1880." Koeman published these volumes from Amsterdam between 1967 and 1985. The volumes contain descriptions with illustrations of Ortelius' "Theatrum 0rbis Terrarum"; the "Epitome", "Caert-Thresoor" and "Atlas Minor"; De Jode's "Speculum Orbis Terrarum"; the Atlases of the XVII Provinces; and the Low Countries up to c.1650. Vol. I, 1967, 377pp. Vol. II, 1969, 549pp. Vol. III, 1969, 220pp. Vol. IV, 1970, 519pp. Vol. V, 1971, 287pp. Vol. VI, 1985, 249pp. A most valuable reference with Dutch and English text.(A ) $2,000.00 - $2,400.00
, Carl I. Wheat, [1995 ]. Carl Wheat's monumental work on western cartography. This is the Martino reprint, limited to 350 copies. Lists1302 maps, fully annotated with 376 illustrated. This reprint is in a size that is much more useful than the original first edition which was published from San Francisco between 1957 and 1963. Illustrated throughout with facsimile maps, many folding and colored. Considered the definitive work detailing the mapping of the American West with an excellent bibliography.(A+ ) $800.00 - $900.00
