Maps & Atlases

A cartographic tour-de-force, a monumental bird’s-eye view of the lost 18th century Paris before it was transformed by Haussman, in a contemporary binding with the arms of the City of Paris

First edition of one of the most celebrated cartographical representations of Paris, commissioned by Michel-Étienne Turgot, designed by Louis Bretez and engraved by Claude Lucas. A monumental and remarkably detailed bird’s-eye view of the French capital, recording its architecture, streets, squares, gardens and urban fabric before the transformations of the 19th century. An excellent example, preserved in a contemporary binding bearing the arms of the City of Paris.

The earliest known example of Rev. Vrooman’s monumental manuscript plan of Canton [Guangzhou], China

An exceptionally rare manuscript plan of Canton on the eve of the Second Opium War, and apparently the earliest known state of Vrooman’s important survey of the city. Prepared when foreigners were still excluded from the walled city, the map records in remarkable detail Canton’s streets, districts, fortifications, temples, riverfront, factories, and agricultural landscape. A substantial and historically important document of Guangzhou, Western trade in China, missionary activity, and the cartography of one of the 19th century’s most consequential Asian port cities.

The first edition of the spectacular Mercator-Hondius Atlas, a milestone in cartographic history

The first edition of the famous Mercator-Hondius Atlas, which follows the arrangement of the complete Mercator Atlas published by Gerard Mercator’s son Rumold in 1595 as the Atlas Sive Cosmographicæ Meditationes De Fabrica Mvndi Et Fabricati Figvra. Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) coined the term ‘Atlas’ and published parts of his work before passing away in 1594. Mercator is known mostly for his attempt to represent the spherical earth as accurately as possible on a flat sheet of paper, now called the Mercator projection.

Spectacular 18th century Dutch composite sea atlas with 3 detailed manuscript charts, all charts and the engraved title page expertly coloured by a contemporary hand

Magnificent contemporary hand-colored composite sea atlas containing 53 detailed printed charts and 3 remarkable, excellently produced manuscript charts of South East Asia. The printed charts were designed by the best chart-makers and originally published by the best Dutch map-publishers of the time, primarily Van Keulen. The original owner has apparently made up his Atlas with the purpose to have all the charts covering the sea-route to the East Indies and beyond, along the coasts of China and Japan. A veritable VOC treasure.

A rare wall map of South America by William Faden with Napoleonic provenance

This is Faden’s publication of Cruz Cano y Olmedilla’s iconic map of South America (Madrid 1775), a map created at the instances of Thomas Jefferson and contributed by Francisco de Miranda. Thomas Smith’s analysis on the original map written in 1966 equated it with Dr. John Mitchell’s iconic ‘Map of the British and French Dominions in North America’ published in 1755. He stated ‘Both were large, detailed, beautifully engraved on copper, and based on careful compilation and discriminating use of source materials. Each one, the best map of its area, which published in several editions and was not to be displaced for decades. They both were widely used and featured in diplomatic negotiations for a century or more after their initial appearances.” One notable difference however is rarity. Whilst the Mitchell map is relatively available, the Cruz Cano map was suppressed and does not appear to have been seen at auction since 1970.

The first atlas printed in Mexico, first American edition of the West Indies Portulano

First edition printed in the Americas of the West Indies Portulano, showing the Spanish controlled ports in the United States, Mexico, the Antilles, Cuba, amongst other places, and the first printed atlas in Mexico; exceptionally rare, only 6 copies known in institutional collections. The Portulano was first published in Madrid in 1809, a second enlarged edition appeared in 1818, also in Madrid, this is the third overall, and the first to be printed in America, entirely re-engraved, a masterpiece of Mexican printing.

Splendid wall map of Mexico City, printed in Mexico; extremely rare first edition

Fine nine-sheet plan of Mexico City surveyed by Diego Garcia Conde and compiled by some of Mexico's most important engravers and artists. It was published in Mexico City in 1807. This is a rare first edition, of which very few examples survive.

Willem Barentsz's Map of the Polar Regions, drawn from his observations during his third voyage of 1596-97 and engraved by Baptiste Van Deutecum.

The Barentsz map of the Polar Regions is a major landmark in Arctic cartography, depicting the details of his third voyage of 1596-7. After becoming stuck on the ice and being forced to winter in the Polar regions, Barentsz utilized his time to create an elaborate and highly decorative manuscript map depicting his observations.

The very rare atlas to accompany the reconnaissance and espionage mission and exploration of Western interior of the United States

A remarkable example, in the original blue wrappers, of one of the rarest and most desirable atlases of Western American exploration - containing a suite of beautifully engraved maps, plates and views, summarizing the American frontier at the end of the 18th century, before its detailed exploration by Lewis & Clark and their colleagues. This atlas has an intriguing publishing history, described below, which has added to its allure.

Huguenot Rebellions, the Siege of Montauban, engraved broadside

This engraved siege plan of Montauban, published in 1621 by Nicolas de Mathonière, illustrates the fortifications of the city and the surrounding military encampments during the siege of Montauban by Louis XIII. The bird’s-eye perspective captures the bastioned defenses, siegeworks, and artillery positions, while the accompanying letterpress text provides a historical and tactical account of the siege.

First edition of the Pilote du Bresil, the first scientific large format sea atlas of Brazil, bound for the Crown Prince of France

An extraordinary example of the first scientific large format sea atlas of Brazil, the result of a mapping-espionage mission led by the future French Navy Minister Captain Roussin, conducted on the eve of Brazilian independence, and in anticipation of French commercial and political adventurism in the country, the colossal atlas established the new ‘gold standard’ for the scientific maritime mapping of Brazil, featuring Roussin’s detailed nautical directions, and 16 charts (on 15 plates), all predicated upon original surveys, embracing the coasts from Santa Catarina up to Maranhaõ, and detailing key trading ports, as well as infamously deadly offshore reefs surveyed for the first time; the atlas was hugely valued by mariners and emulated by cartographers for many years.

Pair of manuscript charts by the first pilot of Argentina, showing the River Plate

Extremely rare pair of manuscript charts of the River Plate, prepared by the first pilot of Argentina, probably made in preparation of his Carta esferica del Rio de la Plata en la America del Sur (ca. 1826), engraved by Besnes Irigoyen and compiled by Oyarbide. The first chart shows the widest side of River Plate, identifying the towns and settlements on the shores; as a navigational aid it is invaluable, showing the depths and banks, with the locations of the shipwrecks. The second one focuses on the Barragan Ensenada, previously the landing site of the British for the invasions to Buenos Aires; the detail and precision with which is made is remarkable, and clearly the work of an experienced pilot and chart maker, with access to sources of navigational information of the River Plate.

A magnificent and early wall map of Mexico City

Arguably amongst the most magnificent maps of Mexico City, containing cartographical information of privileged access, and to our knowledge, the first Spanish printed map of such dimensions of the Viceroyalty´s Capital City.

Early edition of Ortelius’ Atlas

Early edition and a superb example of Ortelius atlas; “If every home now owns an atlas of some sort, it is due ultimately to the conviction and example of Ortelius”