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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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2 views from Le Roy's and Sanderus's chorographic works.
Jun 14, 1:00 PM CEST
2 views from Le Roy's and Sanderus's chorographic works.
by Arenberg Auctions
Est: €120- €150
€601 Bid
(POLAND -- PICTORIAL.) Eliasz Kanarek; and Tadeusz Lipski. Poloniae Regni Amplissimi
May 29, 12:00 PM EDT
(POLAND -- PICTORIAL.) Eliasz Kanarek; and Tadeusz Lipski. Poloniae Regni Amplissimi
by Swann Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $400
$2251 Bid
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Vintage (2) Maps [Mounted to Paperboard]
May 22, 9:00 AM PDT
Vintage (2) Maps [Mounted to Paperboard]
by Grant Zahajko Auctions, LLC
Est: $30- $50
$100 Bids
Karte | Frankreich | "Le Royaume de France et les Conquetes de Louis le Grand"
May 24, 10:00 AM CEST
Karte | Frankreich | "Le Royaume de France et les Conquetes de Louis le Grand"
by GAILER Kunstauktionshaus am Chiemsee
Est: €0- €0
€1000 Bids
Bomsdorff/Baade - Mecklenburg
May 24, 10:00 AM CEST
Bomsdorff/Baade - Mecklenburg
by Auktionshaus Schramm
Est: €80- €100
€800 Bids
Mixed lot of maps and plans Hamburg
May 24, 10:00 AM CEST
Mixed lot of maps and plans Hamburg
by Auktionshaus Schramm
Est: €80- €100
€800 Bids
Carte de Corse 1732 Aquarélée Isvlae Corsicae olim Cyrnus
May 27, 2:00 PM CEST
Carte de Corse 1732 Aquarélée Isvlae Corsicae olim Cyrnus
by Maison de Ventes Good
Est: €1,500- €3,000
€2,2000 Bids
Pianta di Palermo
Jun 06, 6:30 PM CEST
Pianta di Palermo
by Galleria Sarno
Est: €500- €600
€3000 Bids
Europe Carte Map*
May 27, 2:00 PM CEST
Europe Carte Map*
by Maison de Ventes Good
Est: €600- €1,200
€3500 Bids
Belle Ile En Mer Carte *
May 27, 2:00 PM CEST
Belle Ile En Mer Carte *
by Maison de Ventes Good
Est: €1,000- €2,000
€6000 Bids
(MÜNSTER -- EUROPE.) Sebastian Münster. Europa das ein Drittheil der Erden/Nach Gelegenheit Unsern Zeiten.
May 29, 12:00 PM EDT
(MÜNSTER -- EUROPE.) Sebastian Münster. Europa das ein Drittheil der Erden/Nach Gelegenheit Unsern Zeiten.
by Swann Auction Galleries
Est: $700- $1,000
$5000 Bids
Karte | Bayern | "Circulus Bavaricus"
May 24, 10:00 AM CEST
Karte | Bayern | "Circulus Bavaricus"
by GAILER Kunstauktionshaus am Chiemsee
Est: €0- €0
€1000 Bids
Antique Colored Map of Seine Inferieure Engraving
May 29, 11:00 AM EDT
Antique Colored Map of Seine Inferieure Engraving
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $50- $500
$250 Bids
MAPA DE CATALUNYA
May 27, 3:00 PM CEST
MAPA DE CATALUNYA
by Soler y Llach
Est: €0- €0
€1500 Bids
Germany - 23 city maps (copper)
May 24, 10:00 AM CEST
Germany - 23 city maps (copper)
by Auktionshaus Schramm
Est: €200- €250
€2000 Bids
MAP: OPORTO
May 27, 10:00 AM IST
MAP: OPORTO
by Sheppards
Est: €300- €500
€1800 Bids
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A Lot of Two Maps
May 27, 10:00 AM CEST
A Lot of Two Maps
by Veilinghuis de Jager
Est: €120- €240
€800 Bids
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A Map
May 27, 10:00 AM CEST
A Map
by Veilinghuis de Jager
Est: €280- €550
€1800 Bids
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A Map
May 27, 10:00 AM CEST
A Map
by Veilinghuis de Jager
Est: €180- €350
€1200 Bids
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A Map of Zeeland
May 27, 10:00 AM CEST
A Map of Zeeland
by Veilinghuis de Jager
Est: €240- €500
€1600 Bids
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A Map
May 27, 10:00 AM CEST
A Map
by Veilinghuis de Jager
Est: €180- €350
€1200 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Maps of Europe


Arenberg Auctions

Arenberg Auctions

Veilinghuis de Jager

Veilinghuis de Jager

Auktionshaus Schramm

Auktionshaus Schramm

Sheppards

Sheppards