Rare map of New England brings $12,320 in online sale An uncommon map of Colonial-era New England by the Dutch cartographers Hugo and Garolus Allard sold for $12,320 in an online auction held Jan. 26 - Feb. 21 by Old World Auctions of Sedona, Arizona.
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - RARE DUTCH MAP OF COLONIAL NEW ENGLAND SELLS
FOR $12,320 AT OLD WORLD AUCTIONS' ONLINE SALE
Sedona, Ariz.- News-Antique.com 3-15-07- An uncommon map of Colonial-era New England by Dutch cartographers Hugo and Carolus Allard sold for $12,320 in an online auction held Jan. 26 - Feb. 21 by Old World Auctions (OldWorldAuctions.com). A preview of the sale was held at the Miami International Map Fair in Florida, where the maps could be appreciated by collectors gathered for this important event. Prices quoted include a 12% buyer's premium.
“This was our largest sale ever, in terms of total lots sold and aggregate sales volume,” said Diane Kelly, Customer Service Manager and Maps Specialist for Old World Auctions.“Sales were robust and interest was keen, literally from around the world. We had active, aggressive bidders from many countries, especially in Europe.”
The New England map by Allard was the sale's top lot. Executed around 1680, the scarce map commemorated the Dutch recapture of New Amsterdam (New York) in August 1673 with a large inset (known as the “Restitutio View”). In it, Manhattan is depicted as seen directly from the east, with the Dutch army marching along the quay and a cannon firing from the fort. It provides one of the earliest depictions of the wall that was later named for Wall Street, with its guardhouse and gate. The map attracted several serious bidders, finally going to a Dutch collector who took his prize home to Amsterdam.
In other highlights:
An important map of Southeast Asia by another Dutch cartographer, Jan Huygen van Linschoten, realized $10,640. The map, dated 1595, is the first published map of the Far East derived from Portuguese sources. Thus, it is credited with breaking the Portuguese monopoly on the East Indian Trade and was an important source of information on Southeast Asia in the early 17th century.
Material pertaining to Britain did very well, as was evidenced by the high number of bidders from the United Kingdom. Two handsome, bird's-eye views of London exceeded estimates in the category. One was a superior example created in 1572 by Braun & Hogenberg, in original color. It made $7,280. Also, Matthias Merian's 1652 panorama of London, fetched $2,464. Another important map of Britain was John Speed's vibrant depiction of the Saxon kingdoms, often referred to as the “Speed Heptarchy.” This famous map, created in 1676, found a new owner for $6,160.
Were you aware that Benjamin Franklin almost had a state named after him? It's true. In 1784, settlers in present-day western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee organized a state government and petitioned Congress for admission to the Union. But due to fascinating political intrigue, Congress turned down their appeal. Still, the state maintained a legislature and governor until 1788. The fledgling state appeared on only a small number of maps into the early part of the 19th century, including a rare example created in 1804 by Christian Gottlieb Theophil Reichard, which sold for $2,016.
