Over the last few years, we’ve heard about mind-boggling finds in thrift stores and estate sales.
The first was the Muslim flag at Granada in southern Spain.
This made it very likely that the chart was from before 1493.
This makes comparison and contrast more difficult than if we were dealing with dozens or hundreds of maps.
By the end of the journey, the team concluded that the map actually dated to 1360.
As such, it provides a revelatory window on the earliest modern mapmaking.
The portolan chart’s estimated worth is now $7.5 million.
Barry and I knew that handling a complete 14th-century chart was out of the question for modern map dealers.
But that’s not the end of the road.
The Portolan Chart on display at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair. (Photo: Alex Clausen)
Any one of the data points might influence future research.
As such, their hope is for it to be further studied, and then shared with the world.
We intend to sell the chart to a suitable buyer, Clausen shares.
Map dealer Alex Clausen spotted an antique map known as a portolan chart during an estate sale.
The Portolan Chart on display at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair.
The portolan chart’s estimated worth is now $7.5 million.
