Collection Illuminating the Evolution of the United States Offered by Old World Auctions
Glen Allen, Virginia—May 24, 2017—Over 400 lots focused on the history, discovery, and evolution of the United States will be offered by Old World Auctions in a special single-owner sale, "Evolution of a Nation: The David J. Morgan Collection." The auction runs from June 7-14, 2017 and includes important works by Humboldt, Pike, Carey, Melish, Filson, Mackenzie, Darby, and Hennepin, as well as dozens of items that rarely come up for sale.
A highlight of the sale is the 1756 Le Rouge French second edition of John Mitchell's monumental wall map of North America, focused on what would become the United States in two decades. Often described as "the most important map in American history," the map was used for boundary determinations at the Treaty of Paris in 1783, as well as other significant boundary disputes. Other notable items include Juan Corradi's 1802 rare map of the Southwest and its companion Gulf Coast map, the 1793 Filson/Stockdale embryonic map of Kentucky, the 1817 issue of Lewis & Clark's landmark map of the West, the complete first edition of David Burr's A New Universal Atlas, and Jean Frederic Bernard's 1720 volume with important accounts by Tonti and Hennepin.
David J. Morgan, a well-known collector of cartography, has curated his collection of the political evolution of the United States for nearly 50 years. A geologist by trade, Dave's interest in maps ignited as a result of his work with the Attorney General's office of Louisiana to prepare its case against the federal government in the tidelands controversy. Over the years he has created a comprehensive collection of the progression of knowledge of the United States. Barry Ruderman, of Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps, commented, "Dave is one of the most astute collectors with whom I've worked. I've been most impressed with his ability to appreciate and integrate into his collection unusual material. His depth of knowledge and appreciation for integrating standard material with rarities, and for identifying maps that were often under-appreciated in the market, made his collection special."
This extraordinary collection of American material will include historical books, maps, and other cartographic items. The auction catalog will be available online on June 7, 2017 and interested bidders can register for the sale at www.oldworldauctions.com.
Image: Mitchell/Le Rouge, Amerique Septentrionale avec les Routes, Distances en Miles, Limites et Etablissements Francois et Anglois..., 1756.
