May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
121
The rare first state of Speed's 1626 map of the Americas
Estate / Collection: Property of the Neulen Estate
[MAP - AMERICAS]
SPEED, JOHN. America with those known parts in the unknowne world… [London:] G. Humble, 1626 [published 1627, state 1 per Burden]. Hand-colored engraved map on laid paper, with a watermark of a cluster of grapes, engraved by Abraham Goos of Amsterdam, English text on verso, 15 1/4 x 20 1/4 inches (39 x 51 cm). Browned and brittle, a few wormholes in margin away from image, short split to fold tips, a few old tape remnants on verso.
This is the rare first state of John Speed's 1626 map of the Americas. Per Burden, Boston and Long Island are not depicted, and Humble's imprint is at lower left. The map was engraved in Amsterdam by Abraham Goos, who had spent time in London. While the map depicts many places of English interest, most of the detail is provided in South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, and California is presented as a large island. The map features ten depictions of indigenous people, including those of Virginia and Florida, and eight city views line the top border. The first state of this map is rare–most frequently encountered is the 1676 edition by Bassett and Chiswell. Burden 217
Sold for $1,920
Estimated at $2,500 - $3,500
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Property of the Neulen Estate
[MAP - AMERICAS]
SPEED, JOHN. America with those known parts in the unknowne world… [London:] G. Humble, 1626 [published 1627, state 1 per Burden]. Hand-colored engraved map on laid paper, with a watermark of a cluster of grapes, engraved by Abraham Goos of Amsterdam, English text on verso, 15 1/4 x 20 1/4 inches (39 x 51 cm). Browned and brittle, a few wormholes in margin away from image, short split to fold tips, a few old tape remnants on verso.
This is the rare first state of John Speed's 1626 map of the Americas. Per Burden, Boston and Long Island are not depicted, and Humble's imprint is at lower left. The map was engraved in Amsterdam by Abraham Goos, who had spent time in London. While the map depicts many places of English interest, most of the detail is provided in South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, and California is presented as a large island. The map features ten depictions of indigenous people, including those of Virginia and Florida, and eight city views line the top border. The first state of this map is rare–most frequently encountered is the 1676 edition by Bassett and Chiswell. Burden 217
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
