, Abraham Ortelius, [1570-1612 ]. Abraham Ortelius is considered the father of the atlas as we know it today because he compiled and published the first set of maps, conforming in size and format, of all parts of the world. The title page to this first atlas of 'modern' maps,
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theater of the Whole World), was probably designed by Frans Hogenberg who worked on many of the maps in the atlas. The architectural framework includes five female figures with attributes representing the five regions of the known world - a concept that was to be used and expanded upon by cartographers throughout history. At the top is
Europa with her Christian attributes, obviously reigning over the world. To the left of the title is the figure of
Asia holding an incense burner and on the other side is
Africa, heat rising from her head and holding a sprig of balsam from Egypt. At the foot of the title is
America represented by an Amazonian warrior. The severed head suggests the cannibalism practiced among the natives of South America. Finally there is the truncated figure of
Magellanica representing unexplored lands of
Terra Incognita. The fire beneath the bust corresponds to the fires sighted by Magellan and hence the lands he named Tierra del Fuego. The
Theatrum was published in numerous editions with text in various languages. The lot contains six editions of this great title page. On the 1612 page the verso is a magnificent Royal Coat of Arms for Phillip II of Spain. Sizes vary slightly.( ) Estimate $300.00-$400.00.
Sold for $1,400.00
, Ambrosius Aurelius T Macrobius, [1585 ]. 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 (1.8 x 1.8")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 Anthony Gryphius in Lyon with his famous griffin devise engraved on the title page. The volume is in original hand stitched vellum, 18mo, title page, 745 pp (map at 191pp), and index.(A ) Estimate $1,000.00-$1,300.00.
Sold for $2,200.00
, Anonymous, [1750 ]. A very attractive and early map of the town of Halifax and vicinity, including Bedford "formerly call'd Torrington" Bay, Cornwallis Island and more. Halifax is shown in a grid plan with fortifications surrounding. The map is decorated with coats of arms, the Ensign of Nova Scotia, butterfly, moth, a beetle and an odd looking porcupine. The seven coats-of-arms are of the baronets and include those of Pinkington, Pickering, Longueville, Musgrave, Meredith, Slingsby, and Gascoigne. Issued in the July 1750 issue of Gentlemen's Magazine. No engraver given, but Jolly says it is likely Jefferys because the butterfly collection used in the article are advertised as on display at Jeffreys' address in Caring Cross.(A ) Estimate $600.00-$800.00.
Sold for $1,100.00
, Thomas Kitchin, 1783 .
This is one of the earliest English-produced maps to officially acknowledge the United States. It depicts the new nation with its western border on the Mississippi River. The states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia stretch from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. The map is filled with information on early settlements, forts, Indian villages and fishing banks. The title is enclosed in a simple cartouche, with the island of Bermuda below. Kitchin, Hydrographer to the King, prepared the map for a special publication by Thomas Cadell. It was subsequently issued in Raynal's history (1783-98) and possibly other publications.(B+ ) Estimate $1,000.00-$1,400.00.
Sold for $2,200.00
, James Wyld, ca. 1845 . This great pre-Mexican War map shows Mexico in control of the Southwest and California. Texas is shown in the long stove-pipe configuration. Above Texas is a huge unnamed region stretching to Canada and bounded to east and west by the territories of Oregon and Iowa. Iowa Territory is in it's largest configuration, and Oregon Territory takes in the entire Northwest and extends well into Canada. With an inset map of Great Britain down on the same scale to give the British viewer a perspective on the enormity of the United States. James Wyld was the successor to Faden.(A+ ) Estimate $500.00-$600.00.
Sold for $1,400.00
, James Hall, 1857 . This great map of the western United States was one of the
first geological maps of the region. It illustrates the many mineral resources that helped spur westward migration and expansion. Featuring original hand color with a legend showing pattern and color for eleven geological formations, it is also filled with terrific detail of mountains, watersheds, cities and roads. The map covers the country from the Ohio River Valley to the Pacific and extends to include the states of Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico. The political divisions include the large western territories of Washington, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas. Drawn by Thomas Jekyill. Hall was assisted by J.P. Lesley. Lithographed by Sarony, Major & Knapp.(A ) Estimate $600.00-$700.00.
Sold for $1,100.00
, U.S.G.S, 1924-25 . 1)
Geologic Map of Parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties California Washington D.C., 1924 (56.5 x 36.8"). Very large, colorful map based on the geology of William S.W. Kew, Carroll M. Wagner, Walter A. English and John P. Buwalda in 1917, 18, 19 and 22. The map uses color and pattern to delineate sedimentary and igneous rocks, geologic boundaries, axes, beds, oil wells, natural gas wells, derricks, brae deposits, and surface outcroppings of sand. The map is dissected and laid on linen. It has some staining and several sections are starting to detach from the linen. The linen has some areas of minor loss along the folds, some reinforced with white tape on verso. Previous owner's name is written and stamped on verso. Grade B+.
2)
Geologic Map and Sections of the Puente Hills Region, Southern California Washington D.C., 1925 (29 x 32.3"). A large, colorful map based on the geology by W.A. English and W.S.W. Kew surveyed in 1918. The map shows, by use of color and pattern, Alluvium, Terrace deposits, San Pedro Formation, Fernando group, Puente Formation, Topanga Formation, Vaqueros and Sespe, Tejon Formation, Martinez Formation, Chico and Trabucco Formation, Intrusive and Extrusive rocks, Axis of incline, axis of syncline, and Faults. Also noted are oil wells, oil seepage, strike and dip of beds, strike and dip of overturned beds, horizontal beds and the strike of vertical beds. Plate I from Bulletin 768. Dissected and laid on linen. Previous owner's name is written and stamped on verso. Grade A.() Estimate $100.00-$140.00.
Sold for $325.00
, George F. Cram & Company, 1889 . This pocket map edition has the decorative cartouche with Victorian-style titling and attractive graphic elements. The Florida Keys are on the main map as far as Key West. The large inset "North-Western Portion of Florida" shows the panhandle on the same scale. The railroads are well shown, named and extend as far south as Punta Gorda and fully across the panhandle. Finely engraved with full ruling in the oceans. Blank verso. Folds into blue pictorial covers with a smoking locomotive and titled "Cram's Township and Rail Road Map of Florida." The 12 page booklet attaches to the covers and is an "Index to the State of Florida" that includes a two page advertisement for Cram's Standard American Atlas of the World. An exceptional example.(A ) Estimate $140.00-$180.00.
Sold for $275.00
, U.S. Army, 1899 . This chart is uncolored except for red overprinting used to delineate the center of the treacherous channel near Fort Meyers. Fully engraved with much inland detail it locates the islands of Captiva, Sanibel and Pine. Locates a lighthouse at the eastern tip of Sanibel Island as well as Blind Pass, Captiva Pass, Matlacha Pass, another lighthouse, with separate beacon and quarantine station on Casparilla Island, plus Charlotte Harbor, Bird Island and Shark Point. No settlements are drawn on the map but the village of St. James City is named on the southern tip of Pine Island. The Caloosahatchee River inlet to Cape Coral and Fort Meyers is noted. All waterways are filled with soundings in feet at the mean low tide. The chart was prepared at the direction of Captain Henry Jervey, Corps of Engineers, September - October, 1899. Signed in the plate by Captain Jervey.(A+ ) Estimate $90.00-$120.00.
Sold for $210.00
, C.S. Hammond, 1909 . Fabulous birds-eye view encompasses the entire area from the Jersey Shore to Huntington Bay. This example locates Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Mount Vernon, Greenwich, Flushing, Jamaica, Queens, Mineola, Cold Spring, and more. Shows Manhattan connected by the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Queensboro Bridges, plus numerous smaller bridges on the upper eastside across the Harlem River. This colorful pocket map folds into printed wrappers (3.5 x 7.5") with title, "Bird's Eye View Map of East and North Rivers and Long Island Sound Price 10 Cents." A very nice example of this early tourist map.(A ) Estimate $140.00-$180.00.
Sold for $275.00
, 1938 . This great Texas oil map shows the state of the oil business throughout the entire state less than three years before America's entry into WWII. Highly detailed at a scale of 20 miles per inch, this very colorful map is from the base map provided courtesy of the Texas Railroad Commission with data current to March 15, 1938. It was published in the April 14, 1938 Supplement to the Oil and Gas Journal. The legend locates all Oil Pipelines, Gas Pipelines, Gas Fields, Oil Fields, Producing Salt Domes, and Refineries. At upper left is the large "Generalized Geological Sections of Texas" which locates many formations including those containing oil and gas as well as those to be Known, Probable or Possible "Pay Zones." The huge index to Texas' oil and gas fields lists over 500 fields alphabetically. The map is white with black printing to indicate counties and major towns. All oil related information is accomplished with colorful overprinting. Blank verso. This rare issue was published by the Petroleum Publishing Company.(A+ ) Estimate $400.00-$600.00.
Sold for $1,000.00
, John Thomson, ca. 1816 . A large sheet with maps of these three Caribbean islands, each with fine detail of the topography and colonial settlements. These islands were all important parts of the British West Indies.(B+ ) Estimate $100.00-$140.00.
Sold for $220.00
, Andreas Antonius Horatius, [1698 ]. This superb map of the Brazilian province of Pernambuco 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. 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, Emperor of Brazil, 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 rivers and streams carefully delineated. The locations of villages, missions and forts are recorded, including Olinda. Even the navigational hazards are shown along the coastline. A large compass rose orients the map with north to the right. The map is elaborately adorned with putti supporting the title cartouche, royal coat of arms, and the key to the map.(A ) Estimate $1,000.00-$1,500.00.
Sold for $1,900.00
, D. Tomas Lopez, 1777 . This is a rare Spanish map of Santa Catalina island, now the city of Florianopolis and an important tourist destination. The pristine island is shown here with a few small villages and several protected anchorages. A coastal approach view is provided at top.(A ) Estimate $275.00-$350.00.
Sold for $1,100.00
, 1904 . This extremely rare, political caricature map was published in Japan at the outbreak of the
Russo-Japanese War. The work of a Japanese student, Kisaburo Ohara (from Keio University), the map was modeled after a popular 1877 British map (Serio-Comic War Map), which depicted the
Russian Octopus threatening Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Ohara's map expanded its geographic focus to include Asia. The threatening octopus has its tentacles firmly around Finland, Poland, the Crimean and the Balkans, which are all depicted as human skulls. Other tentacles have Turkey by the waist and ankle, Persia by the throat, and is plucking Tibet from the shadow of a cowering China. The arm stretching through Siberia and
Manturia represents the Trans-Siberian and South Manchuria Railways with it terminius at the ice-free port of
Port Arther (Lüshun). The Russo-Japanese War was essentially fought over who would possess this region and its excellent harbor.
The map was intended for foreign, as well as domestic, distribution with both English and Japanese text. The inset at upper left reveals not only Japan's view of the Russian threat, but also early Japanese imperialist tendencies: "
Black Octopus is a name newly given to Russia by a certain prominent Englishman. For the black octopus is so avaricious, that he stretches out his eight arms in all directions, and seizes up every thing that comes within his reach. But as it sometimes happens he gets wounded seriously even by a small fish, owing to his too much covetousness. Indeed, a Japanese proverb says: "Great avarice is like unselfishness." We Japanese need not to say much on the cause of the present war. Suffice it to say that the further existence of the Black Octopus will depend entirely upon how he comes out of this war. The Japanese fleet has already practically annihilated Russia's naval powers in the Orient. The Japanese army is about to win a signal victory over Russia in Corea and Manchuria. And when ... St. Petersburg? Wait & see! The ugly Black Octopus! Hurrah! Hurrah! for Japan. -- Kisaburo Ohara, March, 1904."
These political cartoon maps are now quite rare, due to their ephemeral nature. While this map well known and in several institutional collections, we can find only one record of it being on the market in the last 30 years!(A ) Estimate $2,000.00-$2,500.00.
Sold for $5,000.00
, 1854 . Satirical maps have their roots in the 16th century but gained popularity in the nineteenth century with the political caricature map. This is one of the earliest such caricature map of Europe showing the political situation at the time of the Crimean War.
The major players in the conflict are boldly caricatured and the map is filled with scores of interesting and humorous symbols. The Russian Bear, wearing the Imperial crown labeled
Despotism, brandishes a cat-o-nine-tails whip as he marches towards Asia while looking over his shoulder to Europe. The bear’s right foot forms the Crimean peninsula where the French and English fleets gather to clip the bear’s claws. The Caucasus appear as a series of cork-exploding volcanoes (
Cork As Us Mountains), a reference to the perennial political unrest in the region. In Europe, the Balkans appear in the form of a Turkey wearing a fez and clutching a bottle of port labeled Constantinople. France appears as the Imperial Eagle (a reference to Emperor Napoleon III) girded in a ceremonial sash. The British Isles take the form of an armed lion with Ireland a ragged peasant figure. An English fleet is shown entering the Gulf of Finland, a reference to the British Prime Minister's use of
gunboat diplomacy. Italy takes on the form of a running dog, wearing the papal crown. The double-headed eagle of Austria, looks both east and west, a reference to Austrian neutrality and clumsy attempts at diplomacy shown in a variety of notes tucked under the eagle's wings and in its beaks. The other European countries form a variety of comical figures. The scale of miles is formed by a sword and balance scale depicting Russia on one side and
The Allied Powers on the other.
It would take a good deal of study to understand the totality of this map's political and satirical nuances. Published by Rock Brothers & Payne in London, May 30, 1854. While it is dated earlier than a German map titled
Komische Karte des Kriegsschauplatzes that Roderick Barron cataloged as circa 1856, it is unclear which map was published first. Both maps have rarely been seen on the market.(B ) Estimate $1,500.00-$1,900.00.
Sold for $3,750.00
, Keith Johnston, 1856 . These are actually matching maps that together describe the geology of Great Britain. The first map is the northern sheet which carries the full title in a panel with engraved vignettes of skeletons, fossils, and the head of a Saber-toothed Tiger. The lower sheet contains the legend which identifies an amazing 25 different formations with hand coloring and engraved texture. To the sides of the legend are numerous fossil Ammonites. Both sheets are filled with notations and tables. The maps are from the Sketches and Notes of Professor Edward Forbes, F.R.S., President of the Royal Geological Society. Surrounded by keyboard-style border. Blank verso.(A ) Estimate $300.00-$350.00.
Sold for $550.00
, Depot de la Marine, 1774-94 . This group of sea charts provide excellent detail of several important port in Spain. There is also a chart of the Cape Verde Islands.
1) Baie Port et Ville de St. Sebastien Capitale du Guipozcoa (20.5 x 14.5")
2) Anse et Barre de Bilbao d'apres le Plan leve en 1789 par Don Vicente Tofino 1793. (20.5 x 14.5")
3) Port de Santona d'apres le Plan leve en 1789 par Tofino 1793. (20.5 x 14.5")
4) Port de Santander … (20.5 x 14.5")
5) Anse de Gijon… (20.5 x 14.5")
6) Port du Passage d'apres le Plan leve en 1788 par Tofino 1793 (20.5 x 14.5")
7) Carte des Isles du Cap Verd Dressee sur les Remarques et les Observations les plus Exactes des Navigateurs. Par Mr. d'Apres de Mannevillette… 1774 (13 x 8.8")(A ) Estimate $300.00-$400.00.
Sold for $1,200.00
, Jansson/Pitt, ca. 1680 . Superb map showing the course of the Dnieper River. The map is presented in the strip style with three horizontal strips, each with a compass rose orienting the map. Richly embellished with an elaborate title cartouche surrounded by hunters and a distance scale cartouche topped with putti. The plate was originally engraved by Jan Jansson. After his death it was inherited by his son-in-law, known as Jansson-Waesberg, who published it in conjunction with Moses Pitt.(A ) Estimate $600.00-$700.00.
Sold for $900.00
, Edward Wells, ca. 1700 . Handsome map of the area between Germany and Russia, and from the Baltic to the Black Sea. The large decorative title cartouche contains the coat of arms of William, Duke of Gloucester. Wells was a professor at Oxford and his maps were highly regarded for their accuracy and crisp clean style. Engraved by Benjamin Cole.(A+ ) Estimate $275.00-$350.00.
Sold for $700.00
, Willem Blaeu, ca. 1640 . This handsome chart of Southeast Asia includes one of the most detailed images of the sphere of operations of the trading empire of the Dutch East India Company. It extends from India to New Guinea and parts of northern Australia, and north to the southern coast of Japan with a portion of Korea, which is named as an island. This map was a vast improvement over Blaeu's map of the Asian continent and was presented on Mercator's projection in the style of navigational charts. Significantly, it delineates a more correct outline of New Guinea and is the first atlas map to include the discoveries made by the Dutch in the Gulf of Carpentaria -- thus the first recorded European contacts with Australia. Richly embellished with sailing ships, compass roses and three sumptuous cartouches. The cartouche at lower left features the coat of arms and dedication to Laurens Real, Governor General of the East Indies, 1616-18. French text on verso.(B ) Estimate $1,400.00-$1,700.00.
Sold for $2,500.00
, Rev. Jedidiah Morse, 1794 . With the folding "A Map of the Northern and Middle States; comprehending the Western Territory and the British Dominions in North America from the best Authorities"; A Map of the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia; Comprehending the Spanish Provinces of East and West Florida..."; "Map of Virginia Maryland and Delaware"; "A Map of North Carolina from the Best Authorities"; "A Map of South Carolina from the Best Authorities"; "A Map of the West Indies from the Best Authorities"; plus many other single page state maps. Hardbound in full leather, marbled end papers and foredges. Quarto, 716 pp., 25 of 25 copper engraved maps, many folding, Index. This is the John Stockdale edition published from London.
Of major interest is Joseph Purcell's map of Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia (ref: Wheat & Brun #491). This very uncommon map of the early Southeast shows a well defined
New State of Franklin, within the borders of North Carolina. In 1785, settlers in present-day western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee organized a state government to be named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Congress turned down their appeal but the state maintained a legislature and governor until 1788. This ephemeral state appeared on a small number of maps into the early part of the 19th century. The map shows early settlements, including a Moravian Settlement in North Carolina, and the Cumberland Settlements in present-day Tennessee. The map also notes native tribes and various Bounty Land Grants lands along the upper Mississippi River. This edition was engraved by W. Harrison and published by John Stockdale on Jany. 25th, 1792.
Also of interest is the map of the Northern and Middle States which describes the area from Maine (Province of Main), south to Virginia. Lesser detail extends west to the Great Lakes and the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and north to eastern Canada up to James Bay. There are several Bounty Land Grants including Genl. Clarks, Donation Lands from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Ohio Company in Ohio, and Wabash Company, New Jersey Company, and Illinois Company in Illinois. This is the first edition, with information taken from Amos Doolittle's map of the same title. Engraved by G. Allen Sanders, Wells Row, Islington and published by Stockwell as noted above.(B ) Estimate $1,000.00-$1,400.00.
Sold for $3,000.00
, Clarence Edward Dutton, 1882 . This important volume contains reports on the Grand Canyon by Dutton; plus others including the history of Lake Bonneville; the geology of the Leadville, Comstock, and Eureka districts; the copper-bearing rocks of Lake Superior; and more. Also includes the administrative annual reports of F.V. Hayden, Clarence King, Dutton and others. Filled with colorful geological plates, plus the wide, folding b&w plates of the Grand Canyon such as: "Plateau Scenery - the Mesa Verde"; "Looking up the Toroweap Valley. Lava Cascades"; "The Panorama from Point Sublime - Looking East (also south and west)"; the "Vermillion Cliffs at Kanab"; "Kanab Canon" and more. Many of the wood engraved full page images are by Thomas Moran. Includes the colorful geological folding map at back in the original pocket.
This map is a very detailed and strongly colored geological map from the U.S. Geological Surveys. It details the region from Prescott (Ft. Whipple) and Camp Verde north through the Grand Canyon and Marble Canyon, today's Canyonlands National Park, Moab, and the southern portion of the Great Salt Lake. The map locates the Wasatch and Uintah Mountains, the Bad Land Cliffs (Book Cliffs), the San Juan River, etc. and has remarkable detail of the watershed and topography. This thematic map identifies ten geological formations through color including: Tertiary, Cretaceous, Jurassic, Trias, Permian, Carboniferous, Silurian, Archaean, Trachyte Rhyolite & Andesite, and Basalt. Engraved by J.H. Renshawe. A very colorful and handsome map.
Quarto, 588 pages, bound in black cloth with gilt lettering on spine. Includes 61, with many fold-outs and some in color, and 32 figures.(A+ ) Estimate $150.00-$180.00.
Sold for $325.00
