Old World Auctions' online Auction #196 featured rare antique and vintage maps, charts, atlases

RICHMOND, Va. - Feb. 26, 2024 - PRLog -- A rare and important early first state map of the Carolinas from 1685 sold for $29,325 and an extraordinary map of the Americas and surrounding oceans from 1740 rose to $20,125 in Old World Auctions' online-only Auction #196, which went live on January 24^th and ended on February 7^th. Nearly 800 lots came up for bid in the auction, which totaled $420,277.

Taking top lot honors was A New Map of Carolina by Thornton, Morden & Lea. The map showed early settlements and landowners, and included depictions of Native Americans and animals, such as a turkey and even an ostrich. It sold within its $25,000 - $30,000 estimate.

Andries & Hendrik de Leth's Carte Nouvelle de la Mer du Sud depicting the Americas and surrounding oceans is one of the most decorative ever engraved. The map featured the Island of California, the sea routes of famous explorers, and scenes of cannibalism and human sacrifice. The map, in full contemporary color and in pristine condition, bested the $17,000 high estimate.

"The map market continues to be robust," said Eliane Dotson, who co-owns Old World Auctions with her husband, Jon. "We saw numerous items sell for well above their estimates, and there was strong bidder participation overall. Several of the categories that did particularly well were early world maps and 19^th century Americana."

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Of the 790 lots offered, 698 were sold. "That was an 88 percent sell-through rate, the highest we've seen in the last two years," Ms. Dotson said. All prices quoted include the buyer's premium.

A rare first plate map of the New World from 1573 by Abraham Ortelius, titled Americae sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio, is one of the most famous maps of America, and one that had enormous influence on the future cartography of the New World. It blew past estimate to finish at $10,925.

A New Chart of the Coast of North America from Port Royal Entrance to Matanza Inlet, by Laurie & Whittle from 1809 – a rare, separately-issued chart focusing on the coastline of Georgia, extending north to Hilton Head and south to St. Augustine, gaveled for $10,350.

Old World Auctions next online-only sale – Auction #197 – is slated for April 10^th thru 24^th. To learn more, visit www.OldWorldAuctions.com.