Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2009 Issue

Martayan Lan Offering a Collection of Early Maps

Martayan Lan is offering a major private collection of maps.

Martayan Lan is offering a major private collection of maps.


By Michael Stillman

Martayan Lan has issued a foldout pamphlet that serves as an announcement that they are offering an important collection of maps, atlases, and books containing maps. It is not stated who assembled this collection, but it obviously belonged to a very serious and substantial collector. It is simply described as An Important Private Collection of Early World and Americas Maps and Atlases. Some of the pieces within this group of 30 items are as follows:

The 1507 Ruysch world map, the earliest obtainable map to show America.

The "ultra rare" 1597 Wytfliet Atlas, the first of the Americas.

The 1520 Apianus world map, the earliest obtainable with the name "America" employed.

An exceptional copy of Munster's 1592 Cosmographia.

A 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle with the European map in original color.

De Jode's 1593 double polar projection map.

The 1472 Isidore of Seville first printed world map.

A 1781 issue of Albrecht Durer's 1515 world map.

The Hondius-Drake broadside world map of 1595.

Martayan Lan notes that they are in the process of creating a complete catalogue of the collection. However, until that is completed, the collection is only available as a complete unit. For more details, pricing, and an appointment to view the collection, you should contact Martayan Lan at 212-308-0018 or info@martayanlan.com.

You will find many of Martayan Lan's books and maps listed in "Books For Sale" on this site.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
  • Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.
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