Antique European Maps Take You on a Journey in Time
Taking into consideration cartographers in past centuries did not have space satellites or even aircraft to aid them in mapping the world, their work that survives is remarkable not only for its place in illustrating but also for its artistic beauty. This week’s online collection of fine antique European maps brings forward the impressive talent early-century mapmakers had in creating their works.
An appropriate starting point is an Abraham Ortelius map of Europe, published in Antwerp in 1584 (the first edition was published in 1570). A ship sails in the stipple engraved ocean below the title cartouche, which features Europa riding a bull. The hand-colored, copperplate engraving is rated in “very good” condition and is estimated at $1,100-$1,250.
Abraham Ortelius: Map of Europe, 1584, Antwerp, hand-colored, copperplate engraving, 13 1/2 x 18 1/4 in. (34.2 x 46 cm). Estimate: $1,100-$1,250. Jasper52 image
Published in Amsterdam in 1660 is J. Janssonius’ sea chart of the British Isles, a beautifully hand-colored copperplate engraving that is expected to cruise to $1,300-$1,400.
J. Janssonius: Sea Chart of British Isles, Gold Leaf, 1660, hand-colored copperplate engraving, 17.1 x 21.9 in. (43.5 x 55.5 cm). Estimate: $1,300-$1,400 Jasper52 image
A large atlas wall map of Western Europe, published in 1756 by Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville, is printed on thick, good quality paper. Suitable for farming, the hand-colored map is estimated at $775-$875.
Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville: Premiere partie de la carte d’Europe, folding map, 1756, 40 x 33 inches (102 x 84 cm). Estimate: $775-$875. Jasper52 image
Barcelona, the great Mediterranean port city, is the subject of a plan map by Seutter of Augsburg, Germany. Dated 1740, the map contains a detailed plan of the Catalan capital contemporary color, with an uncolored view of the city below. Both plan and view include keys to major monuments, fortifications, thoroughfares, squares and gates.
Seutter: Plan of Barcelona, 1740, Augsburg, Germany, 22 1/2 x 19 1/2 in. Estimate: $550-$625. Jasper52 image
The unmistakable outline of Italy’s boot stands out in a highly detailed map of the Kingdom of Naples, published by Nolin of Paris in 1742. Dedicated to Philip V of Spain, the map includes a lengthy text block on the “Geographical and Historical Division of the Kingdom of Naples;” a letter key to symbols indicating archbishoprics, “royal fiefs,” duchies, counties, and various political and geographic features. Its superb title cartouche is held aloft by a sea monster.
Nolin: Le Royaume de Naples, 1742, Paris, 18 1/2 x 22 1/4 in. Estimate: $350-$375. Jasper52 image
An 1801 German map of Sicily by Goetze of Weimar has an elegant title cartouche and an inset map of the Maltese Islands. The delicately colored map has a $350-$375 estimate.
Goetze: map of Sicily and Malta, 1801, Weimar, Germany, 22 x 17 1/4 in. Estimate: $350-$375. Jasper52 image
Explore Europe and view the full catalog of antique European maps here.
