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Maps of Europe

Antique maps are distinctive for their time-bound perspectives. Early maps made in Europe in particular tell a story about the motivations of the mapmaker. These flawed and inaccurate representations of the world are typically more rare and valuable than a precise model of geography.

Maps were a luxury of wealthy patrons. Therefore, a map was oriented toward the political or religious personal motivations of the person who commissioned it. Collectors may find it amusing to note the falsified political borders, region centrism, and other idiosyncrasies of these maps. European maps from the Middle Ages were made by monks and are consistently religious in nature, placing Jerusalem at the center. Maps made by monks typically feature extensive decoration with monsters and wild animals lurking at the borders of the known world.

During the Renaissance, the invention of the printing press and the growth of publishing houses made maps available to common people. The Age of Exploration opened up new worlds to map as well. Scientific discovery added to the accuracy of mapmaking and sparked a new interest in the art of cartography.

The Nolli Map of Rome is a groundbreaking work of urban mapping from 1748. Architect and surveyor Giambattista Nolli was a leader in ichnographic mapping, using geometric projections of structures with correct dimensions to show the urban design of the famous city. Modern surveys and satellite images of Rome, a city that has remained largely unchanged over the last 200 years, have proven Nolli’s map accurate to the smallest margin of error.


Quick Facts

  • "Nuova Pianta Di Roma," or Nolli’s Map of Rome, realized a price of $15,000 at a 2012 Christie’s auction. A number of fine reproductions of the work are available for sale
  • Antique maps often feature pictorial warnings of dangers in unfamiliar places. Ptolemy’s Atlas warned of hippos, elephants, and cannibals, while maps portrayed serpents, dragons, dog-headed beings, and men with horns. Interestingly, the famous phrase "Here there be dragons" never appeared on antique maps, although in did appear on the copper Lenox Globe
  • The 1482 Ulm edition of Ptolemy’s Geography atlas "Cosmographia" sold for $810,045 at a 2014 Sotheby’s auction

Recommended Items at Auction

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Two large French wine regions maps (2)
Apr 01, 1:00 PM AEDT
Two large French wine regions maps (2)
by Vickers & Hoad
Est: AUD60- AUD90
AUD1603 Bids
HISTORICAL MAP OF EAST GERMANY, 18TH CENTURY, ''A CORRECT MAP OF THE NORTHEAST PART OF GERMANY.
Apr 04, 10:00 AM CEST
HISTORICAL MAP OF EAST GERMANY, 18TH CENTURY, ''A CORRECT MAP OF THE NORTHEAST PART OF GERMANY.
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€1002 Bids
MIXED LOT OF 20 WORKS OF THE 16TH-19TH CENTURY, MIXED LOT OF DECORATIVE GRAPHICS AND DRAWINGS: 4
Apr 04, 10:00 AM CEST
MIXED LOT OF 20 WORKS OF THE 16TH-19TH CENTURY, MIXED LOT OF DECORATIVE GRAPHICS AND DRAWINGS: 4
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€801 Bid
Stich Landkarte 'Stockholm', 19. Jh.
Apr 01, 9:00 AM CEST
Stich Landkarte 'Stockholm', 19. Jh.
by Auktionshaus Schwab
Est: €10- €20
€100 Bids
TABULA DUCATUS LIMBURCH ET COMITATUS VALCKENBURCH.
Apr 29, 1:00 PM CEST
TABULA DUCATUS LIMBURCH ET COMITATUS VALCKENBURCH.
by Arenberg Auctions
Est: €100- €200
€500 Bids
ITALY, Kingdom Plan of Rome
Apr 14, 3:00 PM CEST
ITALY, Kingdom Plan of Rome
by Bertolami Fine Art
Est: €0- €0
€5000 Bids
INCISIONE, VENEZIA, FINE DEL XVIII SECOLO
Apr 05, 5:00 PM CEST
INCISIONE, VENEZIA, FINE DEL XVIII SECOLO
by Wannenes Art Auctions
Est: €300- €500
€3000 Bids
Map Partie Meridionale du Cercle de la Haute Saxe High Saxony
Apr 08, 2:00 PM BST
Map Partie Meridionale du Cercle de la Haute Saxe High Saxony
by Antikbar Original Vintage Posters
Est: £45- £90
£300 Bids
Topographie
Apr 20, 2:00 PM CEST
Topographie
by Nagel Auction
Est: €200- €300
€1000 Bids
Facsimile Maps
Apr 10, 10:00 AM AEST
Facsimile Maps
by Sydney Rare Book Auctions
Est: AUD50- AUD100
AUD400 Bids
TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGRAVING
Apr 18, 7:00 PM CEST
TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGRAVING
by Derksen Veilingbedrijf
Est: €100- €150
€1000 Bids
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP
Apr 18, 7:00 PM CEST
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP
by Derksen Veilingbedrijf
Est: €30- €60
€300 Bids
REPRINT
Apr 18, 7:00 PM CEST
REPRINT
by Derksen Veilingbedrijf
Est: €40- €80
€400 Bids
NIKOLAS VISSCHER
Apr 18, 7:00 PM CEST
NIKOLAS VISSCHER
by Derksen Veilingbedrijf
Est: €80- €120
€800 Bids
(ANTWERP) A MID 17TH CENTURY ENGRAVED AND COLOURED MAP OF ANTWERP, PUBLISHED IN AMSTERDAM BY VISSCHE
Apr 27, 10:00 AM CEST
(ANTWERP) A MID 17TH CENTURY ENGRAVED AND COLOURED MAP OF ANTWERP, PUBLISHED IN AMSTERDAM BY VISSCHE
by Bernaerts Auctioneers
Est: €300- €400
€1800 Bids
(SEVENTEEN PROVINCES) A LATE 17TH-CENTURY COLOURED MAP BY CAREL ALLARD, TITLED 'XVII PROVINCIARUM BE
Apr 27, 10:00 AM CEST
(SEVENTEEN PROVINCES) A LATE 17TH-CENTURY COLOURED MAP BY CAREL ALLARD, TITLED 'XVII PROVINCIARUM BE
by Bernaerts Auctioneers
Est: €150- €250
€900 Bids
Munster, pub. 1592 - View of Lyon, France
Apr 08, 10:00 AM CDT
Munster, pub. 1592 - View of Lyon, France
by Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Est: $500- $1,500
$500 Bids
West Coast of Ireland X 2 navigation maps: Rathlin O'Byrne to Downpatrick Head-Donegal and Sligo Bay
Apr 19, 10:00 AM IST
West Coast of Ireland X 2 navigation maps: Rathlin O'Byrne to Downpatrick Head-Donegal and Sligo Bay
by Purcell Auctioneers
Est: €30- €50
€250 Bids
West Coast of Ireland X 3 navigation charts: West Port Bay surveyed by Commander R B Beechey, 1970 c
Apr 19, 10:00 AM IST
West Coast of Ireland X 3 navigation charts: West Port Bay surveyed by Commander R B Beechey, 1970 c
by Purcell Auctioneers
Est: €40- €60
€350 Bids
Large folding map of Ireland shewing the Roads under the management of the Directors General of the
Apr 19, 10:00 AM IST
Large folding map of Ireland shewing the Roads under the management of the Directors General of the
by Purcell Auctioneers
Est: €120- €140
€1000 Bids
ST BARTEHELEMY MAP & WEATHER BEATEN PRINT
Apr 26, 9:00 AM EDT
ST BARTEHELEMY MAP & WEATHER BEATEN PRINT
by Affiliated Auctions & Realty LLC
Est: $30- $80
$100 Bids
1748 NOLLI/PIRANESI MAP OF ROME ITALY
Apr 15, 12:00 PM EDT
1748 NOLLI/PIRANESI MAP OF ROME ITALY
by Burchard Galleries Inc
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$1,0000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Maps of Europe


Historia Auctionata

Historia Auctionata

Derksen Veilingbedrijf

Derksen Veilingbedrijf

Purcell Auctioneers

Purcell Auctioneers

Bernaerts Auctioneers

Bernaerts Auctioneers