Maps
Rare Southeast Asia Maps At Sotheby’s
May 04, 2012Before 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.
Read more...An Orrery & Other Curious Devices At London Sale
April 18, 2012An orrery, as mavens of vintage scientific instruments may know, is a mechanical model of the solar system. W & S Jones produced the George III example that Christie’s will be offering on April 25th. The intricate 1794 device has a a disc showing phases of the moon, mounted on a complex multi-wheeled mechanism, with a secondary ring graduated with the signs of the Zodiac. Christie’s anticipates a price of $47,580-$79,300.
Read more...First Book To Map America
April 03, 2012Produced in 1520, this edition by Solanis is the first book containing a printed map that designates the new world as America. The map in question is a folding woodcut cordiform representation of the world after Petrus Apianus, who in turn followed a 1507 world map by Martin Waldseemuller that named America for the first time. At Swann Galleries’ sale of fine books on April 12, it’s expected to realize $50,000-$70,000.
Read more...Amazing First Maps Of The World
December 05, 2011Nearly 500 years ago Abraham Ortelius published his first maps of the world with astounding accuracy, considering he didn’t have anything like a satellite picture to guide him. He also deduced that the earth’s continents were once joined. Bonham’s will auction one of Ortelius’ “World Atlas” editions at its antiquarian sale Dec.15 in New York. High estimate is $150,000.
Read more...The First American Atlas
December 02, 2011The first American Atlas appeared in 1795. Published in Philadelphia, it was the work of Mathew Carey, and included 21 engraved folding double-page and single-page maps. Swann Galleries will offer a copy at their sale of Maps, Atlases, Natural History, and Historical Prints auction in New York on December 8th, when it’s expected to sell for $15,000-$25,000.
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Picasso Prices@Sotheby's