A rare book of maps which reveals the world as it was known in the 1600s has been sold at auction in Perth.
While Australia is notable by its absence the “Isles of Great Brittaine” are quite recognisable to the modern eye with Perth, “Dunkell”, Dundee and “Angusia” all featuring.
Taken from the “notes and works of the famous Monsieur Sanson, geographer to the French King” the leather-bound volume was published in London in 1670 and features 23 hand coloured maps from around the world.
Placed for sale by a vendor in the Perth city area, it went to an overseas buyer for £4,000 when it was sold at Lindsay Burns and Co auction house in King Street.
Missing two maps, if it hadn’t been incomplete it would have realised more.
“It is still a very rare item and we were delighted with the price,” said Nick Burns.
The two day sale also included the contents of Kinpurnie Castle, Newtyle, Angus, the home of the Cayzer shipping family.
Following the death of Sir James Cayzer the estate was sold and seven furniture lorry loads of items from the castle were to removed to Perth.
The chance to buy something from a local stately home struck a chord with the general public who turned out in force.
“The saleroom was packed and harked back to the days of the 80s when salerooms were awash with people,” said Mr Burns.
From the castle an eight foot model of the battleship HMS Hood model had a hammer price of £1,850, three stags heads sold for an average price of £700 each, a rocking horse from the nursery made £1,100 , an Asprey Bang & Olufsen sound system in bespoke dome top trunk made £2,600 and a huge oil painting of Cumberland which hung in the dining room sold for £2,500.
Among the other sale highlights were two Canatagalli dishes with Iznik decoration which sold for £10,600 and three Antonietta Brandeis paintings of Venice which made a combined £9,800.