MAP 91
Small Antique Map: Russell “Chart of the World”, London W.Peacock 1795
Special Features:
Small Map of the World
Australia identified as “New Holland”
Original outline Color
Appeared as the Frontis for Compendious geographical dictionary. London 1793
[This is from the 2nd edition, with the date changed to 1795.]
Gentle Original, Outline Color
Unframed
Paper size 7” x 5”
Full Margins
Image size 6.25” x 4.625”
No text on the back
Guide to the Photos:
Photos # 1, #2, #3 and # 4 are of our map.
Photo # 5 is screen shot from the AbeBooks listing.
[But, of course, the A Guide to Maps of Australia in Books Published 1780-1830: ...
See below, PROVES the vintage of our map.]
….
Guest Editor:
I, Harald Leuba, am listing this map on eBay with the permission of the eBay account holder, my wife of 56 years: Nancy Kingsbury, aka "Showjudge". She is worried about how to find homes for our "stuff" when I die -- > if I die before her.
We have enjoyed living with this map on the walls of our home, but as I age, (I am now 86), I feel that I ought to protect the map from becoming lost in some 2nd hand store and, more importantly, I need to protect Nancy from having to cope with how to harvest its reasonable value in a time of personal stress.
[In other words: We are downsizing!]
......
I bought this map from John Faupel, Antique Atlas, East Grinstead, UK some 20 years ago. It was his # 11 in his catalog No. 105.
I have misplaced John's catalog.
However: (a) John titled it:
Russell Chart of the World London W. Peacock 1795
And it says on the map:
In the upper margin: “Engraved for the Compendius geographical grammar.”
on the map “CHART of the WORLD”
Below the map
“Russell del. et sculp., Constitution Row, Grays Inn Lane.
London, Published as the Act Directs May 4, 1793, by W. Peacock, Salisbury Square"
A Guide to Maps of Australia in Books Published 1780-1830: ... [check Google]
An annotated Cartobibliography Published by the National Library of Australia, 1996
Editors: Dorothy Francis Prescott, Thomas Melville Perry:
“NIF1793b Compendious geographical dictionary. London, 1793 Map Frontis.
NIF 1795c 2nd edn, 1795 Map Frontis with date in title changed to 1795,”
>>>>>
There is a copy of :
For sale on Abebooks today: $314.48 plus shipping from the UK.
Hand colored in outline Folding Maps (12 + frontis) by Russell Duodecimo red roan gilt (spine quite chipped down at head/foot & heavily rubbed/tips worn) All Edges Gilt xxii+404pp +(4p index) 2 leaves nearly loose but clean and square. Nice 19th century inscription on FEP. All folding maps crisp and untorn with outline coloring. Maps: Chart of the world - East Indies - Spain and Portugal - France - Italy - Netherlands - United Provinces - German Empire and Switzerland - Prussia and Poland - Dominions of Russia - Sweden, Denmark and Norway - Great Britain and Ireland - States of America. 1 volume. Seller Inventory # V68561
My comment:
If you are interested enough in maps to be considering an original one of this value, you know that the plates for antique maps were often reused/reprinted/-recycled/revised and that there are many different (related) versions available today. You will also know that maps were not usually stand-alone images. They appeared in bibles, histories, and even in atlases!
Last October, Barry Ruderman came to our house to look at our maps with a view to his acquiring the whole collection. He was warmly professional and lived up to his reputation for expertise. He said that our maps had been well cared for and were in good condition.
He put an estimated market value on this map of $100.
--> if he were to offer it for sale in his business.
{Of course, (1) since he has to make a profit in his business, he did not offer us that much!}
And
{Of course, (2) since he does not have this map for sale, nor does he show it in his archives, we cannot get a current market value.}
Antique maps have doubled in price in the past ten years; I am not listing this at $100, or even $120, even though I bought it 25 years ago.
I am looking for a “good home” for the maps in my collection.
How about: $99?
Take a look and Buy it Now, or make an offer.
.....
Our map has not been framed.
Our map is wonderfully rich in original outline, hand coloring.
The image is clear and clean; the paper is flat, but of course the folds still show – on the back. Otherwise, the map is in pristine condition.
Please help us find a new home for this treasure.
Thank you for looking.
Harald & Nancy
P.S. Inflation? NO! When I bought my first map, there was silver in our US coinage. When I was in college, I could buy a gallon of gas for a silver quarter and mail a letter home for 4ç.
I can STILL buy a gallon gas for the value of that silver quarter, but postage is now 60ç.
Antique maps have doubled in price in the last ten years. Are they a store of value?
I think so, but whether they are or not, they can be a permanent source of pleasure. This map is a rare tiny treasure.
P.P.S We are using the proceeds of this sale, not to add “dollars” to our bank account, but to support local charities (to help neighbors who have lost income due to covid)!