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.
But it’s not the same as seeing and touching the original! The connection to history, touching the same document the cartographer made...wow!
guess its better than stuffed under the mattress, Ok, I'll do it.
Is Chumley going to right me up?
All kidding aside: I hate when I see those guys handle these historical documents with the bare hands, they should put on the gloves. Even the expert they call in, who should know better, doesn't use gloves.
@ a million $ I would not be comfortable touching it @ all. It is best behind glass in a museum.
LOL!
The Foley Square courthouses are among the most famous in America. People would be surprised how often they show up in TV and movies. For example, they are the exterior for Twelve Angry Men. So many famous trials have been held there. Example: the Rosenberg trial.
Nice!
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