Rare Australian 17th century treasure map sells for $600K
A “priceless” rare map of Australia has been found in an attic in Sweden. The 350-year-old document was thought to be lost forever, and is set to go on display.
In 2010 the map titled Archipelagus Orientalis (Eastern Archipelago), created by cartographer Joan Blaeu, was found in storage in Sweden. The owners reportedly were unaware of its rarity, and only realised when it went for sale at auction.
“I think someone stumbled onto treasure,” Dr Martin Woods, Curator of Maps at the National Library of Australia, told news.com.au.
The National Library of Australia acquired it in 2013, but had to pay a whopping $600,000 to do so. It will be on diplay in the Library’s Treasures Gallery until mid-next year.
Do you think you'll go to check it out?