, Munster/Petri, ca. 1592 . This striking woodblock Ptolemaic map was redrawn for the later issues of Munster's
Cosmographia and
Geographia. The traditional classical world is surrounded by clouds and eleven wind-heads (their Latin names in banners). The continents are oddly shaped and all connected to the great southern continent,
Terra incognito secundum Ptolemaeum. There is a very large
Toprobana (modern day Sri Lanka) to the west of India in the landlocked Indian Ocean, and the Indian subcontinent is severely truncated. Southeast Asia is called
India extra. Only the northern part of Africa is shown with the Nile originating in a series of lakes in a large mountain range. German text and illustrations on verso.(B+ ) Estimate $1,000.00-$1,200.00.
Sold for $1,600.00
, 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 ) Estimate $2,500.00-$3,250.00.
Sold for $4,000.00
, Various, ca. 1850-1900 . This is a diverse lot of 19th century atlas maps. It includes some nice maps from Johnston's
Physical Atlas and several duplicates. Size varies but most are from folio or large folio atlases. Some are hand colored, but the majority are printed color. Sold without reserve and not subject to return.( ) Estimate $100.00-$200.00.
Sold for $550.00
, Henry Darwin Rogers, 1855 . This beautifully engraved and well colored geological map was "Constructed from the most recent documents & unpublished materials." It uses a combination of hand and printed color to delineate at least fifteen different geological formations described in a large table that includes American and the "Nearest European Equivalent" name for each. Below the map is a full-width profile "A Geological Section Across the Appalachian Mts. From the Coast of New Jersey at Egg Harbour to Lake Ontario near the Niagara River." Jillson, writing in 1950, comments that "Fifteen separately colored aerial patterns appear on this map which is sufficiently accurate and detailed to forecast the major outlines of the latest (1932) geological map of the United States. Professor Rogers' map is of excellent cartographic execution, and in lieu of anything better might still be used as a field guide to singular advantage." The geographical units are presented by period with formation names given using both the New York and Pennsylvania systems, then in competition for adoption. The geography presented in the west is a little sketchy as the area was little explored, but represented the best compilation of the time. Rogers was the first State Geologist for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania geological surveys before moving permanently to Scotland. He, with his brother W.B Rogers, was the first to work out the complex structural relationship of the Appalachian Mountains. His "Geology of Pennsylvania, a Government Survey" is one of the great classics in early American geological literature. The map was published by the firm of W. & A.K. Johnston. This large double page map is accompanied by the matching (and still attached) six page folio-sized text sheets which discuss the map in great detail.(A ) Estimate $300.00-$350.00.
Sold for $600.00
, Edward Hitchcock, 1856 . The first map (24.2 x 16") is Hitchcock's landmark map of 1853 which is unchanged from the first edition of this report. Essentially, it is a compilation of Lyell’s map for the eastern portion combined with M. Boue’s “Geological Map of the World” for the western portion modified by the author’s generalizations derived from the relations of geography to geology, as argued in the report. In this respect, he freely admits that such generalizations for the western US might be greatly erroneous. This map provides early detail of the geological formations. An explanatory key to the colors indicates fifteen geological formations.
The second map (23 x 18") is drawn on Mercator's Projection. It shows the entire world with a separate hemisphere of the "Supposed Antarctic Continent" that locates Wilke's Land, South Victoria, Enderby Land and Cook's sighting of 1774. This map uses six different colors to locate as many geological formations. Along the bottom are the comparative heights of mountains and volcanoes aligned with the position on the map.
These important geological maps are bound in the original report "Outline of the Geology of the Globe, and of the United States in Particular; with Two Geological Maps, and Sketches of Characteristic American Fossils”," by Edward Hitchcock, Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Company, 1856, 5.5" x 9". Third edition, octavo, 136 pp., 6 plates, and 2 folding hand-colored geological maps. In original brown blind stamped cloth with gilt spine title. Published just three years after the first Boston edition of 1853, this work is notable for containing his first attempt at a geological map of the United States. His son C. H. Hitchcock also notes that "the part relating to the United States is the first attempt to show the distribution of rocks from the Atlantic to the Pacific border." The report and it's two maps are rarely seen together.(A ) Estimate $600.00-$800.00.
Sold for $1,100.00
, Rand McNally& Co., 1923 . This rare, early aviation map of the United States is the first edition, published in April 1923. We located only one other copy in the Library of Congress' collection. Akerman in Cartographics of Travel and Navigation (The Kenneth Nebenzahl, Jr., Lectures in the History of Cartography), p. 237, describes the map: "Using data collected by [U.S. Air Service] Rand, McNally published its first aviation map of the U.S. in April, 1923. More than 3,000 landing fields are shown by dot symbols…" Green overprinting is used to locate airports and to divide the states into nine districts as indicated in Roman Numerals, but there is no explanation of these regions. Five large inset maps illustrate major cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Boston. The map was created by the United States Touring Information Bureau, Waterloo, Iowa with the cooperation of the Airway Section of the United States Army Air Service and the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America. On the verso is the colorful U.S. Auto Trails Map with Tours and Camp Sites. This is the first aviation map produced by the Rand, McNally Company and is complete with its original
Complete Camp Site Guide, which includes a pocket at the rear to store and protect the map. The 115 pp. guide lists all camp grounds and landing sites. Red leather with stamped gilt titling to cover.(A ) Estimate $150.00-$200.00.
Sold for $325.00
, Fremont/Preuss, 1848 . This is the smaller version of Fremont's highly respected map of the American West. It was published by Congress in 1850 to meet the demand for information concerning the
California Gold Rush. The map covers a smaller area than his larger map of the same title, eliminating Oregon and covering California and only the western parts of present-day Arizona and Utah. The
El Dorado or Gold Regions are shown on the south fork of the American River and the upper course of the Feather River. It contains Fremont's famous topographical error, showing an east-west mountain range across the unexplored area of the Great Basin.(A ) Estimate $400.00-$500.00.
Sold for $850.00
, Lt. George Horatio Derby, 1850 . These two important maps of exploration by Lt. Derby are contained in the original
Report of The Secretary of War…a reconnaissance of the Gulf of California and the Colorado river by Lieutenant Derby., 32d Congress, 1st Session, Senate Ex. Doc. 81; 8vo, 28 pp. with modern blue cloth boards and paper label on spine. Both maps are dated 1850 but were not published until 1852 when this report was released.
The first map delineates the area south of the San Joaquin River from the Pacific Ocean to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The
Road to Los Angeles runs through the center of the map. This road offers two routes to LA on either side of Tache Lake with the eastern-most route running along the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The road from Monterey to San Louis Obispo names several villages along the way including Tores, Guadalupe, Soledad, Ojitas and Paso de Rables (sic). Derby's route is traced by dashed lines and several mountain passes are noted. Further, the map locates Warsaw on the road to Los Angeles at the River San Joarquin, and other interesting features such as "Wild Horses."
Wheat calls this a map of major importance to the California Gold Rush.
Also bound in the Report is the original second map
Reconnaissance of the Colorado River made by order of Maj. Gen. P.F. Smith.. (11 x 22"). A provision of the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo that ended the war with Mexico gave the United States navigation rights in the Gulf of California and up the Colorado River. Lt. George H. Derby, Corps. of Topographical Engineers, was assigned the task to reconnoiter the mouth of the river and determine the navigability as far north as Camp [Fort] Yuma. Located at the confluence of the Colorado and Gila Rivers, Yuma was one of the great natural crossroads of the Southwest and Derby's map served to focus attention on the area just as throngs of gold seekers chose this route to California. The map locates Indian villages, landings, and conditions along the winding course of the river. A historically significant map that delineates the Colorado River from its confluence with the Gila River to its mouth in the Gulf of California. Wheat describes this map as "interesting and useful" and notes that it was the basis for cartography of that area until the Ives maps appeared a decade later in 1860.(A ) Estimate $250.00-$350.00.
Sold for $1,100.00
, 1850-68 . Two sheets from this important London newspaper with wood engravings of San Francisco and Sacramento. The first (San Francisco, California, from the Bay) showing the city in the aftermath of the earthquake on September 21, 1868. The second sheet contains four views (San Francisco, California, General View; Blay-Place, San Francisco; Political Meeting at San Francisco; Sacramento, General View). These views show the cities bustling with activity during the California Gold Rush. Size is for the full sheet.(A+ ) Estimate $100.00-$140.00.
Sold for $1,100.00
, U.S. State Surveys, 1861 . This is the first official map of Colorado. It is signed in the plate "Denver City Nov. 1st 1861. Francis M. Case Sur. Genl. Co. Ty." The map has good detail considering this early attempt at mapping the territory. Details include watershed, mountains in hachure, and survey status shown along the plains just east of the Front Range. The towns of Denver, Colorado City (Colorado Springs), Boulder City, Golden City, Pueblo, Canon City, Breckenridge, Central City, Ft. St. Vrain are shown. Mountains named include Pike Peak, Longs Peak, Spanish Peaks, etc. The map is centered on the San Luis Valley and the parks - South, Middle and North. In the plains is the Indian Reservation divided between the Cheyennes and Arapahoes. An important map that should be in any collection of Colorado maps.(B+ ) Estimate $475.00-$550.00.
Sold for $900.00
, Edward Ruger, [1875 ]. Eight maps by Edward Ruger illustrating the various battles in Tennessee from the atlas of Van Horne's "History of the Army of the Cumberland." Ruger worked for the Topographical Engineers and had access to the War Department maps and plans in the production of these finely detailed and well engraved maps. Each shows highly detailed troop actions and movements with color overprinting. Published by Robert Clarke & Co., and printed by the Krebs Lithographing Co., Cincinnati. A nice matched lot of
Civil War maps.
1) Map Exhibiting the Chattanooga & East Tennessee Campaigns…U.S. Grant…A.E. Burnside. A little toning along one fold with some archival tape repair on verso and a tear into map with archival tape on verso. (18.5 x 16.5")
2) Map Exhibiting the Operations of the Armies of the Cumberland and Ohio…under…Brig. Gen. Robert Anderson…Brig. Gen. (now General) W.T. Sherman and Maj. Gen. D.C. Buell. Toned along centerfold with weakness and some tape repairs on verso along this line. (18.6 x 16.5")
3) Map of the Battlefields in Front of Nashville…Maj. Gen. G.H. Thomas…Commanding Rebel Forces, Gen. J.B. Hood. Dec. 15th & 16th 1864. (8.8 x 8")
4) Battlefield of Chattanooga…under the command of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant during the battles of Nov. 23, 24 & 25, 1863. Fine less a very short tear at edge into border, close on verso with archival tape. (8 x 9.5")
5) Map of the Field of Shiloh…Maj. Genl. U.S. Grant, U.S. Vols…Maj. Genl. D.C. Buell, U.S. Vols. on the 6th and 7th of April, 1862. (5 x 8")
6) Map of the Country between Monterey, Tenn. And Corinth, Miss…Maj. Gen. Halleck in their advance upon Corinth in May 1862. (6.5 x 8")
7) Map of the Battle of Chickamauga…Maj. Gen. W.S. Roecrans ... General Braxton Bragg. September 19th and 20th 1863. (8 x 5")
8) Battlefield in Front of Franklin, Tenn…Maj. Gen. J.M. Schofield…Lt. Gen. Hood. November 30th 1864. (5 x 8")
() Estimate $150.00-$200.00.
Sold for $325.00
, U.S. Gov., [1842 ]. This is the highly desirable report on the boundary survey between the Republic of Texas and the United States. Streeter calls this publication of "prime importance" and the maps "the most important in Texas history, in that they show the final boundary between Texas and the U.S. from the Gulf of Mexico to the Red River." The act admitting Louisiana to statehood in 1812 contained a clause defining its original boundaries. When Texas declared its independence in 1835, these borders came into question. This survey was made shortly thereafter and appears to have been the basis for a more detailed survey in 1840 to determine the eastern boundary of Texas. Disbound, 74 pp. plus the five page "Message from the President…". Complete report including the original six maps:
1) "Sabine Pass and Mouth of the River Sabine in the Sea…" (17.5 x 22"). This map is among the most important government maps published during the period of
Texas independence. It is was the first to depict the eastern border of Texas. It covers the section from Sabine Lake to the Gulf of Mexico and shows soundings, Sabine City and the U.S. Customs House. The map was surveyed under the direction of Major J.D. Graham U.S. Topographical Engineers by Lt. T.J. Lee of the U.S. Topographical Engineers and Capt. P.J. Pillans of the Texan Army, and drawn by Lt. Lee. Engraved by W.J. Stone. With scattered foxing. (B)
2) "Map of the River Sabine from Logan's Ferry to 32nd Degree of North Latitude" (8.5 x 6.5"). The map follows the boundary starting from a point on the river about 1/2 mile above Garrison Creek and down the river to Logan's Ferry (where the boundary ceases to follow the river). It is minutely detailed and filled with fascinating notations. Drawn by A.B. Gray, engraved by W.J. Stone and signed by J.H. Overton, U.S. Commissioner. (B+)
3) "Map of the River Sabine from its Mouth on the Gulf of Mexico in the Sea to Logan's Ferry in Latitude 31° 58' 24" North…" (7 x 34"). This map depicts the boundary starting from a mound erected at the mouth of the river and follows up the river to Logan's Ferry (where the boundary ceases to follow the river). The map is minutely detailed and filled with fascinating notations. Drawn by Lieut. T.J. Lee, U.S. Topographical Engineers, engraved by W.J. Stone and published in 1842. A small area of light offsetting. (B+)
Plus three detailed maps of the boundary in strip-chart style, each with the common title a "Part of the Boundary Between the United States and Texas." 4) From Sabine River, Northward, to the 36th Mile Mound" 5) North of Sabine River from the 36th to the 72nd Mile Mound" and 6) North of Sabine River, from the 72nd Mile Mound to Red River." Each with occasional light scattered foxing. (B+)() Estimate $600.00-$800.00.
Sold for $1,900.00
, Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville, 1758 . This finely engraved chart covers the region from Denmark through to the Urals, and all of Scandinavia. The map is filled with great detail of the terrain and watershed and names scores of small towns and villages. Large decorative title cartouche with eight distance scales below. Large inset at upper left shows the island of Iceland. Engraved by G. De la Haye.(B+ ) Estimate $180.00-$220.00.
Sold for $350.00
, Don Vincente Tofino de San Miguel, 1786 . This large, rare chart is from the first Spanish sea atlas. It provides an excellent view of Ibiza and Formentera, the two Pine Islands in the Balearic Islands. Opposite the title cartouche is an inset plan of the harbor of Ibiza complete with extensive soundings and anchorages.(B+ ) Estimate $600.00-$800.00.
Sold for $1,300.00
, 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+ ) Estimate $475.00-$550.00.
Sold for $800.00
, 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 ) Estimate $1,800.00-$2,200.00.
Sold for $2,750.00
, Blaeu Family, ca. 1635 . This is a very handsome map covering the Turkish Empire at the height of the Ottoman Empire. The region it covers is from the Balkans to Persia and from Northern Africa through the Arabian Peninsula. It is embellished with a fine cartouche showing the Turkish Sultan on his throne and allegorical figures at either side brandishing weapons. A second cartouche contains the coat of arms and dedication to David de Wilhem, a Dutch patrician who traveled in Egypt, Palestine and Syria in the 1620s. Sailing ships can be seen in the Mediterranean and Arabian Seas. Dutch text on verso.(A ) Estimate $700.00-$800.00.
Sold for $1,700.00
, Martin Waldseemuller, [1513 ]. This striking woodblock map provides a Ptolemaic view of the region of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. The historic regions of Gedrosia, Drangia, Aria, Paropanisus, and Arachosia are prominently located with their rope-like mountainous boundaries. Waldseemuller's maps are among the most attractive and sought after Ptolemaic maps.(A+ ) Estimate $800.00-$1,000.00.
Sold for $1,600.00
, 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 ) Estimate $1,500.00-$1,800.00.
Sold for $3,500.00
, Claude Bartholemy Morisot, [1643 ]. This rare map of Africa 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 above and below the map and full page of text on the verso. The map extends only to central Africa to the Mountains of the Moon. The source of the River Nile is located adjacent to the Montes Lunae, just south of the equator. Embellished with a large strapwork title cartouche at left. A most uncommon depiction of the continent.
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+ ) Estimate $230.00-$275.00.
Sold for $700.00
, 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 ) Estimate $800.00-$950.00.
Sold for $1,200.00
, Various, ca. 1820-1880 . This is a diverse lot of maps and prints having to do with Egypt. It includes some very detailed maps of the Nile, including Sidney Hall's
Egypt, as well one of the continent that includes a large inset of Egypt. There are 2 prints. Size varies from 5.5 x 7.2" to 16.5 x 20". Sold with out reserve and not subject to return.() Estimate $25.00-$50.00.
Sold for $150.00
, Capt. James Cook, [1773 ]. This rare plate contains two charts on one sheet. The first is the depiction of Sydney Harbor when Cook first landed in Australia on April 29, 1769. Six locations for fresh water are noted as are several soundings in the harbor with shoals are delineated. Locates C. Banks and Pt. Solander which were named by Cook for his botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander.
The chart on the left shows entrance of the Endeavour River in northern Queensland. It locates the "place where we Landed our Stores" and the "place where we Repair'd the Ship." Cook departed Botany Bay continuing northwards where, on June 11, the Endeavour ran aground on a shoal of the Great Barrier Reef. The ship was badly damaged and his voyage was delayed for seven weeks while repairs were accomplished on the site marked on this map. This is near the town of Cooktown. After the repairs were completed the voyage continued and resulted in Cook claiming the entire eastern coastline of Australia on August 22 for England. The return trip to England was via Batavia, the Cape of Good Hope and the island of Saint Helena, finally arriving July 12, 1771. The two charts are within their own border (neatline) and are on a full sheet measuring 17" x 11.2".(A ) Estimate $250.00-$300.00.
Sold for $1,100.00
, Anonymous, ca. 1720 . This satirical engraving is from the important account of one the most infamous financial meltdowns in history, known as the
Mississippi Bubble incident. A translation of the title is, "The stock boys’ shop gives pleasure and sorrow in stealing." The scene of rioting crowds takes place outside Kalverstraat No. 29, Amsterdam, a coffeehouse named
Quincampoix after the headquarters of John Law's Mississippi Company in Paris. The chariot, driven by
Deceit and drawn by monsters, contains a devil using a bellows on a stock broker's backside, causing him to cough up shares titled Utrecht, Delft, Mississippi, etc. Riding in the front is
Bombario, the Chief Quack, holding a flag with a picture of a rat trap and the words "Bombario Ziet toe" (Bombast pays attention). Dimensions include Dutch text below engraving.
John Law, a Scottish financier, established the Banque Generale (central bank) in France. He was then granted control of Louisiana and founded the Compagnie de la Louisiane d'Occident, in 1717. Law developed an elaborate plan to exploit the fabulous resources of the region, which quickly gained popularity and people rushed to invest, not just in France, but throughout Europe. This resulted in the development of several other overseas companies, such as the English South Sea Company and a number of smaller companies in the Dutch Republic, many of which were sponsored by cities. The share price of the Compagnie de la Louisiane d'Occident rose dramatically in a frenzy of speculation. In 1720 the
bubble burst; speculators cashed in, caused a run on the shares, and the company went bankrupt. As a consequence of the failure, confidence in other similar companies failed, and thousands of individual investors across Europe were ruined.(A ) Estimate $150.00-$200.00.
Sold for $550.00
, Schedel, [1493 ]. This dramatic depiction of the Last Judgment shows Christ seated on the rainbow throne with his feet resting on an orb, flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John. The lily of mercy and the sword of justice are on each side of his head. Included are two angels wakening the dead from their graves with most of them being received into heaven by St. Peter and an unfortunate few being led by devils to hell. The Latin text on back describes "De extremo iudicio ac fine mundi " - the last period and end of the world.(B+ ) Estimate $200.00-$250.00.
Sold for $400.00
