Nice Discoveries: 14th-Century Map Might Promote for $7.5M

Map seller Alex Clausen has made a profession of discovering neglected or historic paperwork that become treasures. Clausen’s most profitable discover so far: a 14th-century map that he uncovered at a digital property sale.

Clausen instructed the Los Angeles Times that he found the map within the dwelling of oil inheritor Gordon Getty and his spouse, Ann. In the course of the property sale, the map was tucked between a George II mahogany breakfront bookcase and a number of other manuscripts and watercolor maps.

The nautical map—a portolan chart—initially had an estimated worth between $100,000 and $150,000, the Los Angeles Instances reported. Portolan charts signify one of many earliest types of mapmaking, Clausen identified. They regularly embrace arched traces to depict crusing programs and wind route along with compass roses, flags, sea monsters, and different drawings.

Initially, the portolan chart on the property sale was believed to have been produced in the course of the sixteenth century, the Los Angeles Instances indicated. Nevertheless, primarily based on what Clausen noticed, he thought the piece might have been made earlier. He observed that the chart had Granada in southeastern Spain labeled with a distinct flag than the opposite Spanish kingdoms within the Iberian Peninsula—Granada didn’t grow to be a part of Spain till 1492. That will imply the chart possible dated again to the fifteenth century, not the sixteenth.

Finally, Clausen and his group on the Barry Lawrence Ruderman vintage map store bought the portolan chart for $239,000. They dedicated a whole lot of hours to analyze the chart and study its origin. After months of analysis, they found that the map dates again to 1360 and is the one identified full 14th-century portolan exterior Europe.

“It’s a little bit of an Indiana Jones factor,” Clausen’s enterprise companion mentioned.

Right now, the Barry Lawrence Ruderman vintage map store has listed the portolan chart for $7.5 million. Clausen famous {that a} college or museum might purchase the map and showcase it publicly.

Altogether, values for a whole lot of 1000’s of portolan charts and different antique maps can be found within the WorthPoint Value Information. To be taught extra about tips on how to determine and worth nautical maps, take a look at our Dictionary article on the subject.

Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content material author and editor with a couple of decade of expertise. He produces content material throughout a variety of industries, together with antiques, insurance coverage, and actual property. To be taught extra about Dan, please go to his website. 

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