831

Rare and Monumental "Norman's Chart of the Lower Mississippi, from Natchez to New Orleans"

hand-colored lithograph after Marie Adrien Persac's (French/Louisiana, 1823-1873) drawn survey of the plantation holdings along the river, published by B.. M. Norman, New Orleans, 1858, printed by J. H. Colton and Company, New York. Glazed in a float-mounted frame; together with its original cloth-bound board portfolio with tooling and gilt lettering, 8-3/4" x 5-1/2".

sheet 63-1/2" x 31-1/2", framed 72" x 40"

Notes: Norman's monumental map of the plantations from New Orleans to Natchez is regarded by historians and collectors as the most important map ever produced of the region - as it accurately charts the types of plantations, the owners, locations of schools, post-offices, hotels and churches on both sides of the Mississippi in the antebellum era. In 1938, it was estimated by a writer for the Baton Rouge Advocate (based on research culled from Dr. Wendell H. Stephenson, Professor of History at LSU) that not more than eight or ten of the original 1858 maps still existed. Today only four of those monumental works are knowingly conserved in public institutions: one is in the Historic New Orleans Collection, another is in the Louisiana State University (LSU) archive, a third is in the collection of the Howard Memorial Library (now Howard-Tilton at Tulane University) and a fourth is still actively used by the Louisiana Supreme Court to settle land ownership cases. Even rarer is its presence at auction, since most of the maps were rolled or folded in fifths and used by river pilots, they have deteriorated through time. According to auction databases, since the mid-1990s, only three have come to auction; all have sold for over $160,000. The map offered here represents a scarce opportunity for the discerning collector to own both an important historical record and a rare work of art by one of the most important Louisiana artists of the first half of the 19th century.

Adrien Persac was a prolific painter, draftsman surveyor, lithographer and photographer, who recorded more plantation scenes than any other artist. In addition to painting roughly thirty idealized plantation scenes and public buildings in gouache for private clients, Persac also worked in traditional watercolors, working as a map surveyor and depicting houses for the auction market in New Orleans. In 1857, Benjamin Moore Norman commissioned him to chart a "perfect picture" of the glories of the "windings of the Father of Waters from this city to Natchez". After the map was published and advertised in multiple newspaper classifieds to the public between March and April 1858, the New Orleans Crescent declared that Persac "deserves the highest credit for his very able and useful labor", as he, being the true artist that he was, "descended the river in a skiff, landing at every mile, and drawing every plantation line and taking down every name and landmark on both banks of the river."

References: Dutton, Malile. "Two Copies of 'Persac's Map' Recall Faded Glory of Plantations." Advocate. Dec. 11, 1938; "Norman's Chart of the River Mississippi". Crescent. April, 1858.


  • Condition: **In overall very good condition, and one of the most intact to be offered on the market. The map exhibits some spots of foxing, and toning and creasing throughout at its folds with some restorative support to folds en verso. There are a few minor tears and losses throughout creases. Light cockling of paper is also present. Condition is as to be expected with age, medium and use. The map was not examined out of the frame.

    Additional provenance: according to the consignor, the map was discovered in the 1970s in its original booklet in the hall of Belair Plantation among other Diana Stuart Dymond Earhart books and effects. It was then taken to the leading conservator, Phyllis Hudson, who unfolded it (likely secured/reinforced the folds) and hung it on acid-free rice paper. It was placed in a float-mount frame with UV resistant Plexiglas by Deville Framing in New Orleans.


Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

New Orleans Auction Galleries does not provide shipping. A list of local shippers whom our clients have used and found to be reliable is available on request.

December 10, 2017 10:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

New Orleans Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 + $5,000