Vintage maps in Oct. 5 auction capture fleeting visions of America

1862 map of the American southwest, est. $350-$385

NEW YORK – On Tuesday, October 5, starting at 8 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will hold an 131-lot auction of Maps from a Seller’s Private Collection. While the consignor has declined to be named, he is comfortable revealing that he is a map dealer from Ohio, and is offering his private collection. All lots in the sale represent authentic, collectible maps that have been held under archival conditions to keep them from harm. There are no modern reprints of any kind – all are original engravings, lithographs or other type of image printed in the 19th century or earlier. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Sometimes, maps provide a snapshot of countries in flux. The first lot under discussion does just that. Printed in 1862 as the Civil War thundered on, this map of the American southwest captures the brief existence of the Confederate Territory of “Arrizona,” which here takes an unfamiliar horizontal form. The map also shows Fillmore City as the capital of Utah; delineates the famed Pony Express Route as it passes through Nebraska, Utah and Nevada on its way to California; and takes note of the small, seemingly unpromising Nevada outpost of “Vegas” pretty close to the location of the contemporary playground for grownups. The map is estimated at $350-$385.

1757 map of America showing conflict areas in the French and Indian War, est. $650-$850

Also of note is a map of colonial America that depicts the main conflict areas of the French and Indian War, published in 1757, while it was still blazing away. Pictured are the sites of European camps, forts, and settlements, and also locations of Native American tribes, who played a critical role in the war as allies to both sides. The map is estimated at $650-$850.

Second edition of The Gentleman’s Recreation, containing a map depicting California as an island, est. $10,000-$11,000

Arguably the finest prize in the lineup is a 1709 second edition of The Gentleman’s Recreation, a publication aimed at well-to-do Englishmen that happens to contain a unicorn among maps: one that shows California as an island. Richard Blome authored the book and created its 80 engravings, among them a world view that includes the ludicrously wrong portrayal of the future Golden State. Rebound circa 1910, the book is complete and carries an estimate of $10,000-$11,000.

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