ANTIQUE MAPS

MUSEUM STORE ANNEX

---RARE ANTIQUE MAPS---

All offers considered. Write john@numismaticmall.com

Carte De L'Hemisphere Austral Montrant Les Routes Des Navigateurs Les Plus Celebres par le Captaine Jacques Cook (1728-1779) - by Chief-cartographer of the French Navy, Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772), engraved by Bernard at Paris, circa 1775-1778. This is the first rare edition, not the second edition which is typically hand colored.

An Original Rare Early Printed Map, one of the twenty-four plates of double-page maps taken from the lavish Cosmographia Universalis of Sebastian Münster (1488-1552), published posthumously in 1554. This is the rare first edition of 1554 easily identified by the distinctive paper and ink. This is not a later edition or replica. The later editions and replicas are common on the market and typically sell from $50 to under $200. Write john@numismaticmall.com

Tartaria sive Magni Chami Imperium

Absolutely beautiful and fascinating miniature map of North Eastern Asia and North America published c.1598 by Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598).

This map was engraved by Philippe Galle (1537-1612) and published within the miniature atlas “Epitome du theatre du monde”. This is not the later edition published by Giovanni Battista Vrients circa 1602, but an earlier rarer edition.

While designed to illustrate the expansive kingdom of the Great Khan in Asia, this tiny map's main feature is the unnamed strait separating

Asia and North America based on the theory of Giacomo Gastaldi (1500-1566).

Near the southern entrance to this straight is a large and strangely shaped Japan.

Of particular interest is the very early naming of California and the naming of Axa, one of the supposed Seven Cities of Gold.

The legend of the Seven Cities emerged in Europe long before Columbus, during the Moorish invasion of Spain.

It was said that when the Moors invaded Porto in the early 8th century, the city’s seven bishops took all of their wealth and fled to sea.

They landed on an island in the Atlantic called 'Antilla.'

There, each of the seven bishops established a city.

The island of Antilla actually appears on many early portolan charts of the Atlantic, but as navigators explored more and more of that ocean and failed to discover the Antilla, the Seven Cities were relocated to the unexplored American southwest.

This map was engraved by Philippe Galle (1537-1612) and published within the miniature atlas Epitome du theatre du monde”.

First published in Latin in 1570 in Antwerp (with two editions appearing that same year, with the title Theatrus orbis terrarum, then in Dutch in 1577, the text was translated into French from 1579 onwards. This first edition in French, which appeared under the title of Miroir du monde, had only 72 maps. It was re-published in 1583 with 83 maps. It was not until 1588 that the complete, definitive version, with its 94 maps appeared, entitled “Epitome du theatre du monde”.

Condition Report

In a very good condition. Printed on hand-laid paper with a bold, clear, dark impression. Two micro pin holes one on the margin one in the letter R in PARS. Paper toned commensurate with age. Hand colored. French text on verso. Sheet measures 14.2cm x 10.6cm

Want Further Information?

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or queries regarding this map. john@numismaticmall.com

Sebastian Münster's Cosmographia (1544) Plate of Amerg, one of the 24 double page maps. (16"-1/2" X 14"-1/2")

This large folio sea chart drawn in a circular polar projection centered on the South Pole was purchased for 800 Euro at Paris in 2000 from a rare map dealer.

A scientifically drawn map of the Southern Hemisphere, illustrating Australia, New Zealand and part of South East Asia, Africa, and South America. One of the significant features of this map is the meticulously detailed charting of the various voyages in the Southern Hemisphere, including the voyages of Mendana (1595), Quiros (1606), Le Maire and Schoeten (1616), Tasman (1642), Halley (1700), Roggewein (1722), Bouvet (1738-39), Carteret (1767), Wallis (1767), Byron (1768), Bouganville (1768) Cook (1770-75), et alia. The map includes a set of tables of Latitudes and Discoveries, listing approximately 60 islands, bays, and other locales. A highly desirable and collectable map professionally mounted in a beautiful mat and frame. The map unframed measures 22" x 22", and within the frame measures approximately 30" x 30". Ideal for a professional office, museum, institution, or eminent collector. Estimate $1,800. Write john@numismaticmall.com

1598 by Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) - Very Early Map of America