Rare Book Monthly

Articles - November - 2022 Issue

Old World Auctions: Maps and More at Auction

Old World:  always busy!

Old World: always busy!

RICHMOND, Va. (October 27, 2022) – Henry Briggs’ first English map to show California as an island and the earliest collectible map of Eastern North Carolina and Virginia by John White/Theodor De Bry are among the more than 750 items from consigners all over the world that will be featured in Old World Auctions’ November online auction. The auction opens November 2 at 8 a.m. ET and closes November 16 at 10 p.m. ET.

 

While the majority of the items are rare and historic maps, historic documents, rare books and illuminated manuscripts also will be for sale in the auction.

 

One of the highlights is a circa 1625 edition of “The North Part of America Conteyning Newfoundland, New England, Virginia, Florida, New Spaine, and Nova Francia” by Briggs, estimated at $16,000-$19,000. This is the first English map, and very likely the very first map overall, to show California as an island that features a flat northern coastline.

 

The earliest collectible map of Eastern North Carolina and Virginia also will be a part of the November auction. Published circa 1590, “Americae Pars, nunc Virginia” by White/De Bry is a remarkable map of eastern North Carolina and a portion of Virginia and is one of the most significant milestones in the cartographic history of North America. It is the most accurate 16th century map of any portion of North America and is the earliest collectible map of the region. It is the first to show and name the Chesapeake Bay (Chesepiooc Sinus), and the second map of Roanoke. It is estimated at $15,000-$18,000.

 

Other items of note include:

  • Magnificent Carte-a-Figures World Map with Rare Blank Verso: “Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula” by Blaeu (1635). Estimate $12,000-$15,000.
  • Complete Elephant Folio Atlas in Contemporary Color with 112 Maps: “Atlas Universel” by Robert de Vaugondy/Delamarche (1788). Estimate $9,000-$11,000.
  • Gorgeous Chart of the Mid-Atlantic & New England: “Pas Caerte van Nieu Nederlandt en de Engelsche Virginies” by Goos (1666). Estimate $7,000-$8,500.
  • Rare Example of Limited Edition Serio-Comic Map Depicting Outset of World War II: “L'Europe en Sept 1939” by Vlaanderen (1939). Estimate $7,500-$8,500.
  • Complete First Edition of Tanner’s Universal Atlas: “A New Universal Atlas” by Tanner (1836). Estimate $7,000-$8,500.
  • Superb Gradual with Manuscript and Printed Music: “Graduale Iuxta Morem Sacrosancte Ecclesie Romane” by Liechtenstein (1551). Estimate $6,000-$7,500.
  • Rare Chart of Iceland and the Mythical Island of Frisland: “Carta Particolare dell’ Isole di Islandia e Frislandia” by Dudley (1661). Estimate $3,750-$4,500.
  • Very Rare First Edition, First State of Fred W. Rose’s Iconic “Octopus” Map: “Serio-Comic War Map for the Year 1877” by Fred W. Rose (1877). Estimate $3,500-$4,250.

 

Old World Auctions features five auctions each year. Its September event sold nearly 80% of the auction lots totaling more than $343,000. Those interested in bidding in the auction can create an online account at www.oldworldauctions.com/register. Previously registered customers can bid or view auction items by logging into their account at www.oldworldauctions.com/login.

 

For more information on Old World Auctions, visit www.oldworldauctions.com

  

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About Old World Auctions

Established in 1977, Old World Auctions is the leading specialist in antique maps. The company has researched and listed over 100,000 maps and atlases in its auctions and offers its research free to the public through its online archive. Old World Auctions offers a 100% money-back guarantee on the authenticity and condition report of every item sold and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company is owned and operated in Richmond, Virginia, by University of Virginia alumni Eliane and Jon Dotson. Discover more at www.oldworldauctions.com.

 

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