Rare map gets £80k antiques valuation

An antiques valuation of £80,000 has been given to a rare 17th century map discovered in an attic in Aberdeenshire.

The manuscript is hand-drawn on animal skin by leading cartographer of the era John Thornton and was discover in the loft of the House of Glennie, near Huntly.

It shows North America and Canada and shows detail of small fishing settlements on the Newfoundland coast and will go under the hammer in Crewkerne, Somerset on January 17th.

According to the Western Gazette, the meticulously coloured and well preserved map measures 68 x 80 cm.

A spokeswoman for Somerset-based auction house Lawrences of Crewkerne said: "Map specialists at The British Library have suggested that the map might have been a special commission for a patron on account of the considerable detail given to small settlements on the Newfoundland coast."

She added the significance of the map, found lain next to some water tanks, was recognised immediately.

It has recently been reported the coffin which once contained the body of Lee Harvey Oswald is set to be sold at auction in a few weeks and has been given an antiques valuation of at least $1,000 (£640).

Posted by John Folwell