The ‘New and Correct Map of the World…’ that opens the Atlas Royal… of c.1733 sold for £24,000 by Catherine Southon.
Sub-titled ‘The World described: or a New and Correct sett of Maps’, it presented 28 copper engraved maps by Hermann Moll, mostly published by J&T Bowles it would seem, and all with contemporary outline colouring.
The atlas lacked its upper board and spine, and there was also some dampstaining and a few other shortcomings in the matter of condition, but given an estimate of £6000-8000 it attracted a number of phone and internet bidders who pushed the price rapidly up to £24,000 at the auction held by Catherine Southon (20% buyer’s premium) in Warlingham on February 8.
The auction house said: “We sourced the atlas via a valuation day in Kent. The surprised client, unaware of its value, had been storing it at home in the back of a wardrobe.”
