Maps
1450 The Portolan of Greek Islands
2012 SOLD 1.76 M$ including premium
The work of Cristoforo Buondelmonti is admirably typical of the spirit of the Italian Renaissance. This monk born in Florence lived in Greece for many years and traveled the islands. Hellenist, he studied the history and geography of the islands and collected manuscripts for the benefit of the bibliophile Niccolo Niccoli.
Around 1420, Buondelmonti draws a set of portolan maps of this region, including comments judiciously arranged with the drawings, under the title Liber Insularum Archipelagi.
It indicates the monasteries, bridges, springs, ruins, monuments, and even the grave of Homer then located in Chios. This work includes the only known representation of Constantinople before the Ottoman conquest.
Executed about 1450, perhaps in Florence, the copy of the Liber Insularum Archipelagi for sale on April 10 at Christie's in New York is probably the oldest that has survived. This Latin manuscript especially clean and fresh, size 25 x 16 cm on vellum, is a superb example of illuminated portolan, with maps in different colors of lines and washes. The period binding has been restored.
This book is estimated $ 800K. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
Two exceptional manuscript portolans, from the same collection, were featured in this sale.
The Buondelmonti, subject of this discussion, was sold $ 1.76 million including premium.
Made in the following century and more artistic, the Agnese was sold $ 2.8M including premium.
Around 1420, Buondelmonti draws a set of portolan maps of this region, including comments judiciously arranged with the drawings, under the title Liber Insularum Archipelagi.
It indicates the monasteries, bridges, springs, ruins, monuments, and even the grave of Homer then located in Chios. This work includes the only known representation of Constantinople before the Ottoman conquest.
Executed about 1450, perhaps in Florence, the copy of the Liber Insularum Archipelagi for sale on April 10 at Christie's in New York is probably the oldest that has survived. This Latin manuscript especially clean and fresh, size 25 x 16 cm on vellum, is a superb example of illuminated portolan, with maps in different colors of lines and washes. The period binding has been restored.
This book is estimated $ 800K. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
Two exceptional manuscript portolans, from the same collection, were featured in this sale.
The Buondelmonti, subject of this discussion, was sold $ 1.76 million including premium.
Made in the following century and more artistic, the Agnese was sold $ 2.8M including premium.
1477 Ptolemy's Cosmographia
2006 SOLD for £ 2.14M including premium by Sotheby's
1486 The Ptolemy of the Renaissance
2016 SOLD for $ 730K including premium
Forgotten for a millennium in Western Europe, the Cosmographia by Claudius Ptolemaeus returned to Italy from Constantinople. Scholars immediately appreciate the great content of this antique work. Jacobus Angelus translates the Cosmographia from Greek to Latin circa 1406. Nicolaus Germanus later proceeds to update the work and incorporate the discoveries of his time.
Germanus had completed his work in 1482. Without removing the authorship reference to Ptolemy, he edited his maps in Ulm while using the translation by Angelus. The woodcut is a recent technique that significantly improves the diffusion of the maps. For the first time, a map by Germanus is signed by its engraver, Johannes (Schnitzer) in Armsheim. Armsheim is 30 Km away from Mainz, the city where Gutenberg had operated.
The first editor, Lienhart Holle, has no more chance than Gutenberg: he is bankrupted by the magnitude of his work. A copy from his edition was sold for £ 510K including premium by Sotheby's on November 4, 2014.
His experience benefits another printer in Ulm, Johann Reger, who recovers the undamaged materials and plates of Holle and republishes the Cosmographia without significant change in 1486. The book meets now the success that it deserved: the printing by Reger is estimated at about 1000 copies.
The best examples are colored by hand. A 1486 Cosmographia was sold for £ 360K including premium by Sotheby's on April 29, 2014 despite the absence of three sheets of text. Another copy described as splendid in a binding of its time is estimated $ 600K for sale by Christie's in New York on April 5, lot 8.
Germanus had completed his work in 1482. Without removing the authorship reference to Ptolemy, he edited his maps in Ulm while using the translation by Angelus. The woodcut is a recent technique that significantly improves the diffusion of the maps. For the first time, a map by Germanus is signed by its engraver, Johannes (Schnitzer) in Armsheim. Armsheim is 30 Km away from Mainz, the city where Gutenberg had operated.
The first editor, Lienhart Holle, has no more chance than Gutenberg: he is bankrupted by the magnitude of his work. A copy from his edition was sold for £ 510K including premium by Sotheby's on November 4, 2014.
His experience benefits another printer in Ulm, Johann Reger, who recovers the undamaged materials and plates of Holle and republishes the Cosmographia without significant change in 1486. The book meets now the success that it deserved: the printing by Reger is estimated at about 1000 copies.
The best examples are colored by hand. A 1486 Cosmographia was sold for £ 360K including premium by Sotheby's on April 29, 2014 despite the absence of three sheets of text. Another copy described as splendid in a binding of its time is estimated $ 600K for sale by Christie's in New York on April 5, lot 8.
A fantastic 1486 #Ptolemy #preview for sale on 5 April @ChristiesInc #NY #Perrette now in #London @ChristiesBKS pic.twitter.com/3Om4C9EJhC
— Stefania Pandakovic (@StefPandakovic) March 15, 2016
1542-1546 Portolan atlas of the world by Battista Agnese
2012 SOLD 2.8 M$ including premium by Christie's
Link to catalogue.
1570 Compiled Doria Atlas
2005 SOLD for £ 1.46M including premium by Sotheby's
Link to catalogue.
1600 The Ottoman Expansion in Mediterranea
2009 SOLD 1.07 M£ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
During the century that followed the death of Suleiman in 1566 of our calendar, the Ottoman Empire dominates three-quarters of the Mediterranean sea. The expansion and decline of the Empire are dramatically illustrated by the dynamic map in the right column of the Ottoman Empire article of the Wikipedia.
On October 6 in London, Christie's sells an Ottoman maritime map of the Mediterranea. To the delight of historians, it is easy to date maps with reference to the evolution of place names and the creation of new suburbs. It was made around 1600 in our calendar.
It is now composed of two parts separately framed, 118 x 128 cm for the West and 120 x 133 cm for the East. The ink drawing is very sharp and the geographical quality is comparable to the best Western maps of that time, or even better.
The Battle of Lepanto (1571) warned the Turks about the difficulty to maintain their naval supremacy. Some coastal details lead to consider that it was a military document for the use of an admiral to prepare for a naval campaign, and not just a navigation map. Because of its large size, consultation could be on wall.
The rarity of the map and its sharp details justify an estimate of £ 300 K.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot was exceptional. Same comment for the realized price: £ 1.07 million including premium.
During the century that followed the death of Suleiman in 1566 of our calendar, the Ottoman Empire dominates three-quarters of the Mediterranean sea. The expansion and decline of the Empire are dramatically illustrated by the dynamic map in the right column of the Ottoman Empire article of the Wikipedia.
On October 6 in London, Christie's sells an Ottoman maritime map of the Mediterranea. To the delight of historians, it is easy to date maps with reference to the evolution of place names and the creation of new suburbs. It was made around 1600 in our calendar.
It is now composed of two parts separately framed, 118 x 128 cm for the West and 120 x 133 cm for the East. The ink drawing is very sharp and the geographical quality is comparable to the best Western maps of that time, or even better.
The Battle of Lepanto (1571) warned the Turks about the difficulty to maintain their naval supremacy. Some coastal details lead to consider that it was a military document for the use of an admiral to prepare for a naval campaign, and not just a navigation map. Because of its large size, consultation could be on wall.
The rarity of the map and its sharp details justify an estimate of £ 300 K.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot was exceptional. Same comment for the realized price: £ 1.07 million including premium.
1613 Champlain tells his Travels
2009 SOLD 758 K$ including premium
We have already met Samuel de Champlain in our column. One year ago a map of Canada published in Paris in 1612 was sold 157 K £ including premium by Sotheby's.
Outstanding explorer and cartographer, strong agent of French colonization, Champlain was also a naturalist and scientist. Ethnographer, he watched the natives of North America with sympathy. The success of his endeavours is astonishing: he never ceased to travel, did not lose a single boat, and his greatest claim to fame is the founding of Quebec City.
"Les Voyages", published in Paris in 1613, is the journal of his explorations, with many illustrations and detailed maps. A copy is for sale on December 3 by Bloomsbury in New York. Its estimate at $ 250 K is reasonable if one considers that it fetched $ 360 K in a previous sale at Sotheby's in May 1999, according to information found in the catalog.
LiveAuctioneers provides the online support for the auction, and shares the description of the lot and an illustration.
POST SALE COMMENT
It is logical that this book was sold well above the price of the map sold last year by Sotheby's. At 660 K $ excl., it is an excellent result.
Outstanding explorer and cartographer, strong agent of French colonization, Champlain was also a naturalist and scientist. Ethnographer, he watched the natives of North America with sympathy. The success of his endeavours is astonishing: he never ceased to travel, did not lose a single boat, and his greatest claim to fame is the founding of Quebec City.
"Les Voyages", published in Paris in 1613, is the journal of his explorations, with many illustrations and detailed maps. A copy is for sale on December 3 by Bloomsbury in New York. Its estimate at $ 250 K is reasonable if one considers that it fetched $ 360 K in a previous sale at Sotheby's in May 1999, according to information found in the catalog.
LiveAuctioneers provides the online support for the auction, and shares the description of the lot and an illustration.
POST SALE COMMENT
It is logical that this book was sold well above the price of the map sold last year by Sotheby's. At 660 K $ excl., it is an excellent result.
1630 The Pair of Globes from the Princes of Liechtenstein
2008 SOLD 794 K€ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
On April 1 in Amsterdam, Christie's sells the pair of globes of the princes of Liechtenstein
This lot 137 is a pair of library globes belonging to the private collection of the princes of Liechtenstein. This set, composed as it should as a terrestrial and a celestial globe, is the work of Willem Janszoon Blaeu.
Blaeu was a famous cartographer, and we see more often his name for atlas or maps than for globes. After his death in 1638, his workshop was continued by his sons.
For the time, its size, 68 cm high, was the largest size available for globes, before being surpassed half a century later by the monumental Coronelli globes.
This brings us, of course, into the mapping science : each of the globes is composed of laid half triangles colored by hand, with also, on the earth, the two polar calottes. And we go into the great history when we know that these globes reflect some discoveries of their time.
On April 1 in Amsterdam, Christie's sells the pair of globes of the princes of Liechtenstein
This lot 137 is a pair of library globes belonging to the private collection of the princes of Liechtenstein. This set, composed as it should as a terrestrial and a celestial globe, is the work of Willem Janszoon Blaeu.
Blaeu was a famous cartographer, and we see more often his name for atlas or maps than for globes. After his death in 1638, his workshop was continued by his sons.
For the time, its size, 68 cm high, was the largest size available for globes, before being surpassed half a century later by the monumental Coronelli globes.
This brings us, of course, into the mapping science : each of the globes is composed of laid half triangles colored by hand, with also, on the earth, the two polar calottes. And we go into the great history when we know that these globes reflect some discoveries of their time.
1662 The Atlas Major by Blaeu
2015 SOLD for £ 580K including premium
The Atlas Major by Joannes Blaeu is the most remarkable illustrated book of the seventeenth century, published in Amsterdam in 1662. It consists of 594 prints of maps, plans and views accompanied by about 3000 pages of text. The folio-size 52 x 34 cm is the largest used at that time.
This world atlas is the result of over three decades of preparation, started when Joannes's father Willem bought in 1629 the copper plates of the Hondius maps.
It is published as separate editions in Latin, French, Dutch, German and Spanish. The basic Latin edition is divided into 11 volumes. Blaeu sought the favor of Louis XIV and the French edition is increased by more detailed texts concerning France, Asia and America, extending to 12 the total number of its volumes.
A complete copy, finely hand colored, of the Grand Atlas ou Cosmogonie Blaviane, en laquelle est exactement descrite la terre, la mer et le ciel, still in its gilded vellum binding of that time, was sold for € 490K including premium by Pierre Bergé et Associés on June 18, 2014.
On November 17 in London, Sotheby's sells a copy, also complete and colored, of the Atlas Major, sive Cosmographia Blaviana, qua solum, salum, coelum accuratissime describuntur. It is estimated £ 240K, lot 46.
A composite specimen adding to the Atlas in French a volume of navigational maps and a volume of comparison through maps between the ancient and the modern world was previously discussed in this column. It was sold for € 200K before fees by Pierre Bergé et Associés on June 20, 2008.
This world atlas is the result of over three decades of preparation, started when Joannes's father Willem bought in 1629 the copper plates of the Hondius maps.
It is published as separate editions in Latin, French, Dutch, German and Spanish. The basic Latin edition is divided into 11 volumes. Blaeu sought the favor of Louis XIV and the French edition is increased by more detailed texts concerning France, Asia and America, extending to 12 the total number of its volumes.
A complete copy, finely hand colored, of the Grand Atlas ou Cosmogonie Blaviane, en laquelle est exactement descrite la terre, la mer et le ciel, still in its gilded vellum binding of that time, was sold for € 490K including premium by Pierre Bergé et Associés on June 18, 2014.
On November 17 in London, Sotheby's sells a copy, also complete and colored, of the Atlas Major, sive Cosmographia Blaviana, qua solum, salum, coelum accuratissime describuntur. It is estimated £ 240K, lot 46.
A composite specimen adding to the Atlas in French a volume of navigational maps and a volume of comparison through maps between the ancient and the modern world was previously discussed in this column. It was sold for € 200K before fees by Pierre Bergé et Associés on June 20, 2008.
"Atlas Major", the most luxurious atlas ever produced, stars in our #London #Travel sale: https://t.co/d7Ea1wPt6l pic.twitter.com/lwi3Wn3ncF
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) November 2, 20151777 British Survey in America
2012 SOLD 780 K$ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
In 1776, the British military cartography is the best in the world. The outbreak of the war with the rebels in North America requires a mastery of the land of this distant country by the expeditionary force, and generates a very specific type of map identified as the Campaign Headquarters Map.
They are very detailed manuscript maps made to be used by the staff. Officers of the guides are drawing the regions which they have personally surveyed. The document is a general map of the region in which are inserted several more detailed plans relating to battles, encampments or cities.
These maps record the memory of military movements by the British forces, their enemies and their allies on land and sea, with codes of colors and symbols that allow a rapid interpretation of this highly complex information.
On December 7 in New York, Christie's sells a Campaign Headquarters Map particularly interesting because it describes the campaign of New York in the early months of the war, from August to December 1776, including the seizure of the city by the British. The inserted plans are devoted to the Battle of White Plains and to Brunswick NewJersey encampment.
This document on paper mounted on linen, 152 x 113 cm, was drawn in 1777 by Captain Charles Blaskowitz. It is estimated $ 700K. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
This interesting map was sold $ 780K including premium. This is its fair price. One year ago, I discussed a similar work made slightly later by another cartographer which had remained unsold from an estimate of $ 1M.
In 1776, the British military cartography is the best in the world. The outbreak of the war with the rebels in North America requires a mastery of the land of this distant country by the expeditionary force, and generates a very specific type of map identified as the Campaign Headquarters Map.
They are very detailed manuscript maps made to be used by the staff. Officers of the guides are drawing the regions which they have personally surveyed. The document is a general map of the region in which are inserted several more detailed plans relating to battles, encampments or cities.
These maps record the memory of military movements by the British forces, their enemies and their allies on land and sea, with codes of colors and symbols that allow a rapid interpretation of this highly complex information.
On December 7 in New York, Christie's sells a Campaign Headquarters Map particularly interesting because it describes the campaign of New York in the early months of the war, from August to December 1776, including the seizure of the city by the British. The inserted plans are devoted to the Battle of White Plains and to Brunswick NewJersey encampment.
This document on paper mounted on linen, 152 x 113 cm, was drawn in 1777 by Captain Charles Blaskowitz. It is estimated $ 700K. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
This interesting map was sold $ 780K including premium. This is its fair price. One year ago, I discussed a similar work made slightly later by another cartographer which had remained unsold from an estimate of $ 1M.
1781 Rochambeau to the Rescue of America
2010 SOLD 1.15 M$ including premium
The arrival of Rochambeau and his troops in America in 1780 was decisive for the independence of that country. The military operations of the French very well coordinated with General Washington led to the defeat of the British at Yorktown on October 19, 1781.
A few days after the victory, a French officer sketched a detailed map of the battle. A simplified copy, 35 x 60 cm, of this historic document was given to Washington and was thereafter preserved in the archives of the President's secretary, Colonel Lear. A legend shows the different phases of the siege.
James D. Julia sells on February 5 in Fairfield, Maine, a large collection of books, documents and memorabilia from the Colonel. In its press release, the auction house frankly tells that it does not know to evaluate the price of the Yorktown map. The announced price range extends from 5 to 50 K $!
Americans love their history and the maps of their territory. I take for example a map of the Mississippi basin, 1858, 150 x 75 cm, sold 270 K $ hammer price in November 2009 by Neal Auction in New Orleans from an estimate of 18 K$.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot was outstanding, obviously. It was sold $ 1.15 million including premium.
Here is the image, shared after the sale by Maine Antique Digest.
A few days after the victory, a French officer sketched a detailed map of the battle. A simplified copy, 35 x 60 cm, of this historic document was given to Washington and was thereafter preserved in the archives of the President's secretary, Colonel Lear. A legend shows the different phases of the siege.
James D. Julia sells on February 5 in Fairfield, Maine, a large collection of books, documents and memorabilia from the Colonel. In its press release, the auction house frankly tells that it does not know to evaluate the price of the Yorktown map. The announced price range extends from 5 to 50 K $!
Americans love their history and the maps of their territory. I take for example a map of the Mississippi basin, 1858, 150 x 75 cm, sold 270 K $ hammer price in November 2009 by Neal Auction in New Orleans from an estimate of 18 K$.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot was outstanding, obviously. It was sold $ 1.15 million including premium.
Here is the image, shared after the sale by Maine Antique Digest.
1953 Happiness for Everybody
2017 SOLD for $ 710K including premium
Walt Disney is a nice dad. He takes his two daughters to the amusement parks. While they play in the carousels he waits and gets bored. It would be much better for everyone with themes that entertain young and old ones altogether.
Walt traveled to Europe in the summer of 1951. He visited Madurodam in The Hague and Tivoli in Copenhagen. Madurodam is a 1:25 replica of Dutch cities and monuments. Tivoli was created in 1843 by order of King Christian VIII who understood that when people have fun they do not make politics.
The inventor of Mickey Mouse now knows that his new project is unprecedented and will be popular. He bought an orange grove in Anaheim CA and designed the overall plan along with the details of the themes which he grouped within so-called Lands. Visitors are invited to forget today for idealizing yesterday and tomorrow.
The star-shaped urbanism of the park is carefully designed so that the visitor never loses his way and easily finds the shops. The Sleeping Beauty castle is a fantastic and magical mark. Among the first lands of the project are World of Tomorrow and Frontier Country. Lilliputian Land will however not be developed.
The Disney brothers do not have the money. In September 1953 Walt assisted by the artist Herb Ryman draws an aerial map in oblique vision of his Disneyland project. The original drawing is traced for use on a sturdy 100 x 175 cm board. This assembly is carried by Roy Disney looking for investors. Success is achieved : an agreement is reached with ABC (American Broadcasting Company).
In 1954 the lines and texts of the drawing are reinforced for various promotional exhibitions. Just before the opening of Disneyland in the following year this mounted drawing is now useless and Walt presents it to one of his employees. This unique piece of great importance in the development of the first Disney park is estimated over $ 700K for sale on June 25 by Van Eaton Galleries at Sherman Oaks CA, lot 217 here linked in the bidding platform icollector.
Please read the essay prepared by the auction house including several period photos and a short video.
Walt traveled to Europe in the summer of 1951. He visited Madurodam in The Hague and Tivoli in Copenhagen. Madurodam is a 1:25 replica of Dutch cities and monuments. Tivoli was created in 1843 by order of King Christian VIII who understood that when people have fun they do not make politics.
The inventor of Mickey Mouse now knows that his new project is unprecedented and will be popular. He bought an orange grove in Anaheim CA and designed the overall plan along with the details of the themes which he grouped within so-called Lands. Visitors are invited to forget today for idealizing yesterday and tomorrow.
The star-shaped urbanism of the park is carefully designed so that the visitor never loses his way and easily finds the shops. The Sleeping Beauty castle is a fantastic and magical mark. Among the first lands of the project are World of Tomorrow and Frontier Country. Lilliputian Land will however not be developed.
The Disney brothers do not have the money. In September 1953 Walt assisted by the artist Herb Ryman draws an aerial map in oblique vision of his Disneyland project. The original drawing is traced for use on a sturdy 100 x 175 cm board. This assembly is carried by Roy Disney looking for investors. Success is achieved : an agreement is reached with ABC (American Broadcasting Company).
In 1954 the lines and texts of the drawing are reinforced for various promotional exhibitions. Just before the opening of Disneyland in the following year this mounted drawing is now useless and Walt presents it to one of his employees. This unique piece of great importance in the development of the first Disney park is estimated over $ 700K for sale on June 25 by Van Eaton Galleries at Sherman Oaks CA, lot 217 here linked in the bidding platform icollector.
Please read the essay prepared by the auction house including several period photos and a short video.
1989 Boetti's Blue Planet
2010 SOLD 1.83 M£ including premium
Artist in the abstract and lettrist styles, Alighiero Boetti wanted to express the globalization of time and space. The name of this universal minded Italian could be a pseudonym in tribute to Dante and Boethius, his two famous compatriots from ancient times. Not at all: it was his real name.
In addition to his own work, he is the author of a fertile idea. In 1974, he chose as a subject the Mappa, the map of the Earth, which he made tirelessly woven by Afghan or Pakistani workshops. The design is fixed: they are the continents. The choice of colors of earth and sea is made by the craftsman, along with his possible selection of a text for the border. The flags of the nations are embroidered at the place of their geographic location.
In 1989, this choice tends to converge to blue seas, which effectively allow a nice contrast with the other colors. The tapestry for sale by Christie's in London on June 30, 116 x 217 cm, is in an almost black blue that distinguishes it from the other copies. For this reason, it could reach an unprecedented price for a work by this series, 900 K £.
It is adorned with a quote from Sa'di on the one essence of the human race, in Farsi.
POST SALE COMMENT
Christie's had every reason to consider their Mappa as exceptional. It was sold 1.83 million pounds including premium.
Two days earlier, Sotheby's had well sold another fine example of the Mappa, 114 x 167 cm, woven in Kabul in 1984: 880 K £ including premium.
In addition to his own work, he is the author of a fertile idea. In 1974, he chose as a subject the Mappa, the map of the Earth, which he made tirelessly woven by Afghan or Pakistani workshops. The design is fixed: they are the continents. The choice of colors of earth and sea is made by the craftsman, along with his possible selection of a text for the border. The flags of the nations are embroidered at the place of their geographic location.
In 1989, this choice tends to converge to blue seas, which effectively allow a nice contrast with the other colors. The tapestry for sale by Christie's in London on June 30, 116 x 217 cm, is in an almost black blue that distinguishes it from the other copies. For this reason, it could reach an unprecedented price for a work by this series, 900 K £.
It is adorned with a quote from Sa'di on the one essence of the human race, in Farsi.
POST SALE COMMENT
Christie's had every reason to consider their Mappa as exceptional. It was sold 1.83 million pounds including premium.
Two days earlier, Sotheby's had well sold another fine example of the Mappa, 114 x 167 cm, woven in Kabul in 1984: 880 K £ including premium.
