Before the 15th century, Ptolemy’s 2nd century maps of Southeast Asia were regarded as authoritative. After Columbus’ and da Gama’s voyages of discovery produced new information, however, cartographers began producing more accurate examples. An Indonesia-based collector named David Parry amassed a considerable assortment of these maps, whose timeline extends all the way to the 20th century. At Sotheby’s Travel, Atlases, Maps & Natural History sale on May 9th in London, the Parry collection is expected to sell for $226,100-$290,700.Another highlight of the sale is a collection of 19th century views of Burma produced in 1855 by Linnaeus Tripe. Following the Anglo-Burmese war in 1852, the Governor General of India commissioned Tripe to record these newly annexed lands. Preserved in their original portfolio and signed and dated by Tripe, the collection is estimated at $242,250-$323,000.
