A very rare manuscript Revolutionary War map. Estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2011.
Posted on 11/09/2011 6:34:38 AM PST by Pharmboy
A very rare manuscript Revolutionary War map. Estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2011.
NEW YORK, N.Y.- On November 15, Christie’s will offer a very rare manuscript Revolutionary War map (estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000) as part of its autumn Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts including Americana sale at Christie’s New York Rockefeller Center saleroom. It is the only known such manuscript in private hands―one of five known versions of this map made. The others are all in institutions or libraries.
Made in New York by Hessian mapmaker Charles Auguste de Gironcourt in 1780, the monumental map (12 sheets, 83 ⅜ in x 78 in) depicts in remarkable detail the numerous battles and extensive military activity during the early years of the American Revolution. Hand drawn in pen-and-ink and watercolor, the map illustrates troop movements, natural terrain features, cities and manmade structures such as bridges and roads all along New York, New Jersey, and Long Island and down to the upper Chesapeake Bay.
Also offered in the sale is a contemporaneous map by de Gironcourt depicting the fortifications, troop positions and ship positions in and around Charleston, S.C., at the time of the city’s siege and surrender on May 12, 1780. It measures 25 ⅜ in. x 19 ⅜ in. (estimate: $100,000-$150,000).
Charles Auguste de Gironcourt (1756-1811) Charles Auguste de Gironcourt was born in the town of Epinal in Lorraine, France, in 1756. Prior to joining the Hessian forces in 1776 he served in the French army, and accompanied the Hessian (German) troops to America in May of 1777. He was commissioned second lieutenant in April 1776, and served as deputy quartermaster general from 1781-82. De Gironcourt succeeded the Hessian map-maker Capt. Reinhard Jacob Martin in the engineer corps attached to the Hessian commander’s staff, quartered at Morris House, New York. In this position, he continued Martin’s work recording the Hessians’ critical role in the American war.
Provenance The map comes from the Earls of Carysfort by direct descent to Sir William Proby, Bt, CBE, DL. It possibly could have come into the family through either the 1st Earl of Carysfort, John Joshua Proby (1751-1828) or his sons, the 2nd and 3rd earls.
Please allow me to point out a few things in the map (which might be interesting to those visiting NYC in the future).
The "Common" is now the area of City Hall and City Hall Park; the "C" of "Common" sits on Broadway; following Broadway down two blocks from the "C", there is a block with a clear area and a pinkish block within--this is St Paul's Chapel which still stands. It is one of the very few buildings remaining in Manhattan from colonial times and was the staging area for 9-11. Further down Broadway in a similar construct is Trinity Church where Wall St starts.
The "Fresh Water" pond was first drained by a canal ("Canal St.")filled in and became the Five Points area which then was razed and became Foley Sq (the courthouses that you see at the beginning of the old "Law and Order" shows).
Awesome stuff. Thanks for the post, Pharmboy.
Most everywhere else was empty. Too bad it’s full of America-hating liberal Democrats now.
Notice the Brits beating random Patriots. They were incensed about what they thought was Patriot arson. And they might have been right.
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list...
Well, although I live in Maryland now, I grew up in Brooklyn and lived in Manhattan for 27 years. What you say is—for the most part—true, you would likely be surprised at how many good conservatives there are in NYC. But in the media, all you see are the lefties.
LOL !! The Old Man: “A million dollars? That aint gonna happen. I can go $250 cash right now.”
That is so cool - thanks for the info, my husband and son will love this
What goes around comes around :-)
Ooops, I forgot. Cool map! :-)
I love that show.
“mmmmm.....I can go.....$275. But that’s it. See, I can only sell it for so much to try and make a little something off it.”
Are there enough members of your ping list to create a club to buy the map? Let’s start out own private collection and museum!
Are there enough members of your ping list to create a club to buy the map? Let’s start out own private collection and museum!
The lowest I can come down is $280.00. begging now, cause the slots are calling.
Well, if one of the Koch brothers was hiding behind a screen name on my ping list it would be easy! If only it were so...
FMCDH(BITS)
LOL!! As my grandmother might have said: “Such a bargain!”
Rick: “You have to understand, stuff like this sits around for a long long time, I shouldn’t, but I’ll go $275.”
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