Rare Sylvanus Map Travels to $44,550 at Arizona Auction

This world map is an early example of Venetian cartography.

Rare Sylvanus Map Travels to $44,550 at Arizona Auction

SEDONA, ARIZ. - Old World Auctions recently completed an auction of rare antique maps, atlases, globes and related material. Auction 92 included 498 lots, of which more than 90 percent sold.

The most important item featured was a map of the world published in 1511 by Bernard Sylvanus of Venice, which sold for $44,550. This distinctive world map is an early example of Sixteenth Century Venetian cartography and is one of the earliest maps obtainable today. It is also one of the first maps to illustrate the newly discovered Americas, presenting a fascinating view of the post-Colombian world.

The map shows Japan, here named "Zampagv," for only the second time on any map. The first depiction was found on the Contarini/ Rosselli map of 1506, of which there is only one known copy. The distinctive cordiform (heart-shaped) projection, first introduced here by Sylvanus, was adopted by several later cartographers and used for a number of important Sixteenth Century maps.

Other highlights included several important Colonial period maps, a mint Victorian 12 inch globe, and the first separately issued map of New Guinea. An example of Willem Blaeu's "Virginae parti australis et Floridae" brought $2,200. This map of the Southeast, from the Dutch Golden era of Cartograhy, is adorned with a colorful cartouche showing six Indians in full regalia and two coats of arms which reflect the colonial interest of France and Britain.

A rare map showing Colonial America on the eve of the French and Indian War sold for $6,600. That map, by French cartographer Jean Palairet, came with its original pamphlet describing the events leading up to the conflict.