Samuel de Champlain Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Samuel de Champlain Art Value Price Guide

Dec. 17, 2023
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Carte de la nouvelle france. [Paris: Claude Collet, 1632.] Champlain's last cartographic contribution: his
Est: $40,000 - $60,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Carte de la nouvelle france. [Paris: Claude Collet, 1632.] Champlain's last cartographic contribution: his rare 1632 map, arguably “the first to depict the existence of the entire Great Lakes network” (Burden). This map covers the same territory as Champlain's map of circa 1616, but with greater detail, especially improving on the Great Lakes. "Lac St Louis" is Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls is depicted at no. 90 (un-named on the map). "Above La nation neutre appears a rudimentary Lake Erie followed by a more recognizable Mer douce, Lake Huron, the ‘freshwater sea’. Grand Lac, or Lake Superior, which Champlain never actually saw, is here depicted for the first time in a recognisable form on a map. Reports of its existence probably came to him through Etienne Brûlé, one of the first coureurs de bois." An illustration of a church serves to indicate the Dutch presence in the region, and is considered the first delineation of present-day New York City on a printed map” (Burden). The Hudson River is here called "Riuere des trettes" and Long Island "Isle de l'Ascension." The map was published in Champlain's 1632 book Les Voyages de la Nouvelle France and retains its original fold marks accordingly. See previous lot for a full description of the book. Burden 237; Church 420; Schwartz & Ehrenberg, pl. 48. Engraved map on two joined sheets, with narrow margins, 520 x 860mm to neat lines (a few tiny holes at fold intersections and about 6 tiny worm holes in Labrador). Matted.
Christie's
Dec. 17, 2023
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Les Voyages de la Nouvelle France occidentale, dicte Canada faits par le Sr Champlain Xainctongeois, Capitaine pour
Est: $150,000 - $250,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Les Voyages de la Nouvelle France occidentale, dicte Canada faits par le Sr Champlain Xainctongeois, Capitaine pour le Roy en la Marine du Ponant, & toutes les Descouvertes qu'il a faites en ce paos depuis l'an 1603. Iusques en l'an 1629. Paris: Claude Collet, 1632. First edition of Champlain’s last work, the first collected edition of his voyages and including discoveries through 1629. With the rare and important large map, arguably “the first to depict the existence of the entire Great Lakes network” (Burden). This work “contains a collective narrative embodying a review of all preceding French expeditions to the New World, followed by and interwoven with Champlain’s own voyages to Canada” (Church). It also contains the first accurate accounts of the Native inhabitants of what is now the central part of New York State. Following an abridgement of the 1613 edition (see preceding lot), this work additionally describes Champlain’s seventh and ninth voyages (the eighth is mentioned only incidentally as unimportant) and contains a History of Canada, a Treatise on Navigation; and the Doctrine Chrestienne, du R. P. Ledesme and l’Oraison Dominicale” (ibid). These latter works translate scripture into the Huron language. Second issue as usual, with the setting of p.27 which removes the offensive passage regarding Cardinal Richelieu. The book was dedicated to Richelieu and the cancelled leaves replace a five-line passage which was supposed to be held objectionable by him, namely that great princes might know well how to conduct the government of a kingdom, and yet not know how to sail a ship. The map is also second state, with a more accurate orientation of the major lake on Cape Breton island. The important map, Champlain’s final work, covers the same territory as that of circa 1616, but with greater detail, especially improving on the Great Lakes. “Lac St Louis is Lake Ontario, leading up to number ‘90’, marking ‘a fall of water at the end of the Falls of St. Louis, very high, where many kinds of fish are stunned in descending’. Above La nation neutre appears a rudimentary Lake Erie followed by a more recognizable Mer douce, Lake Huron, the ‘freshwater sea’. Grand Lac, or Lake Superior, which Champlain never actually saw, is here depicted for the first time in a recognisable form on a map. Reports of its existence probably came to him through Etienne Brûlé, one of the first coureurs de bois ... An illustration of a church serves to indicate the Dutch presence in the region, and is considered the first delineation of present-day New York City on a printed map” (Burden). Notably, there is no reference to the English in New England—perhaps Champlain thought his map would better encourage French settlement if he avoided acknowledging the British in the area, even though this map does cover an area as far south as Virginia. The Hudson River is here called "Riuere des trettes" and Long Island "Isle de l'Ascension." Alden & Landis 632⁄22; Burden 237; Church 420; Harrisse, Nouvelle France 51; Lande 118; Pilling Algonquian pp. 79-81; Schwartz & Ehrenberg, pl. 48; Streeter sale 3621. Three parts in one, quarto (224 x 164mm). Large engraved folding map, "Carte de la nouvelle france" (map with some tiny losses at fold intersections, on a later stub, old patch on verso repairing a stub tear, small stain near patch); 6 engraved illustrations in text, two of which are full-page; woodcut map on 3C4 and woodcut illustrations on 3G2v. With original blanks 22Q4 and 3G4. (Toning to most page margins and at ends, blank marginal tears from O1, Q1 and 22F1, closed tear just into text on 4B3, a few leaves with ragged outer margins.) Early limp vellum, spine lettered in manuscript (soiled, ties lacking, spine unevenly darkened).
Christie's
Dec. 17, 2023
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Voyages et descouuertures faites en la nouvelle faites en la Nouvelle France, depuis l'année 1615. iusques à la fin
Est: $15,000 - $25,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Voyages et descouuertures faites en la nouvelle faites en la Nouvelle France, depuis l'année 1615. iusques à la fin de l'année 1618. Paris: Claude Collet, 1620. Champlain’s narrative of his final expedition of discovery, including his “incomparable essay on the Hurons” (Winsor). This is the reissue of the 1619 edition, differing only in the date on the letterpress title-page and some minor details (the engraved title still bears the date 1619). It is Champlain's third work, describing his voyages from 1615 to 1618. "It describes his introduction of the Recollect Fathers as missionaries to the Indians, his exploration of the river of the Ottawas, Lake Nipissing, Lake Huron, and Ontario; the attack on the Iroquois fort in the State of New York; his winter among the Hurons; and it contains his incomparable essay on the Hurons and other neighboring tribes. It has Brûlé's narrative of his experiences among the savages on the southern borders of the State of New York, near the Pennsylvania line, and that of the events which occurred in the settlement at Quebec” (Winsor, quoted in Church). Champlain was aware of Louis XIII's personal interest in Native customs, and, in part to encourage continued patronage of New France, he gives great detail. The large folding illustration depicts a Huron deer hunt using a V-trap picket fence. Alden & Landis 620⁄45; Church 378; Harrisse, Nouvelle France 33; Sabin 11837. Octavo (151 x 100mm). Engraved title, one (of 2) engraved folding plates and 4 full-page engravings in text (browned and a little dampstain at beginning, title chipped at edges with a little loss, larger folding plate supplied in facsimile, the other folding plate with a repaired hole replacing one figure in facsimile, some headlines shaved, last leaf laid down). Modern calf, spine gilt; slipcase. Provenance: P. de Cardomet (ownership inscription dated 1661 on title) – William Lowth (large ownership inscription on p.31) – Ernest E. Keet (bookplate).
Christie's
Dec. 17, 2023
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). [Quatriesme Voyage du Sr de Champlain Capitaine Ordinaire pour Le Roy en La Marine, et Lieutenant de Monseigneur le
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). [Quatriesme Voyage du Sr de Champlain Capitaine Ordinaire pour Le Roy en La Marine, et Lieutenant de Monseigneur le Prince de Condé en la Nouvelle France, fait en l’année 1613. Paris: Jean Berjon, 1613.] First appearance of Champlain’s fourth voyage of 1613 to the Ottawa River Valley, being the final part only of Champlain’s Voyages of 1613. At this point in his life, Champlain had already learned of Hudson Bay, journeyed up the St. Lawrence River, explored the Bay of Fundy, founded Québec, and discovered the great lake that would bear his name: Lake Champlain. On his return to France he was ready to promote his successes and spur on the fur trade. He set the publication of the Voyages underway and then left for New France again on this, his fourth voyage. He reached the mouth of the Ottawa River in late May 1613 and explored all summer, including to the future site of Ottawa, the present-day capital of Canada, at the mouths of the Gatineau and Rideau rivers. He returned to Paris by October where the publication of the Voyages was still in progress. He added this final part, with separate pagination and a section title, and incorporated his discoveries into the second state of the Hudson Bay map (see previous lot). Alden & Landis 613⁄30; Church 360; Harrisse 27; Lande 116; Sabin 11835; Streeter sale 3630. Quarto (230 x 170mm). Section title. 52 pages. (Page corners a little rounded, few spots.) Modern blindstamped calf to style. Provenance: Ernest E. Keet (bookplate).
Christie's
Dec. 17, 2023
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Carte geographique de la nouelle franse en son vray meridiein. [Paris: Jean Berjon, 1613.] Champlain’s extr
Est: $30,000 - $50,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Carte geographique de la nouelle franse en son vray meridiein. [Paris: Jean Berjon, 1613.] Champlain’s extremely important and rare second map. First edition, second state updated with the first indication of the Ottawa Valley on a printed map. Hudson Bay is marked at the south with the legend in English: “the bay wher hudson did winter.” Champlain probably obtained knowledge of Henry Hudson’s discoveries from Hessel Gerritz’s work published in 1612. “Seeing the possibilities this could provide [Champlain] had this map drawn up on a larger scale to incorporate the new bay … In this map’s second state it also records Champlain’s voyage during 1613 some distance up the Ottawa River. [This map] not only depicts latitude but longitude also, something virtually never attempted before on a North American map of such detail. Champlain’s acute awareness of the deviation of the compass enables him to portray the St. Lawrence River in its more correct south-west to north-east flow rather than the more usual west to east seen on maps of the period … Heidenrich and Dahl believe that the alterations made to the plate [for this second state] appear to be by Champlain himself. These corrections must have been made sometime between October and December 1613, after Champlain’s return from the New World” (Burden). Burden 161; Kershaw 62. Engraved map, 286 x 355mm, sheet size (pressed and cleaned, small repairs along the old folds and stub tear, a few associated tiny holes). Matted.
Christie's
Dec. 17, 2023
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain Xaintongeois, Capitaine ordinaire pour le Roy, en la marine. Divisez en deux livre
Est: $300,000 - $500,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain Xaintongeois, Capitaine ordinaire pour le Roy, en la marine. Divisez en deux livres. Ou, Journal tres-fidele des observations faites és descouvertures de la Nouvelle France. Paris: Jean Berjon, 1613. First edition of the first account of all four of Champlain’s voyages to America undertaken between 1604 and 1613. A tall, fresh copy complete with the very rare largest map: “the first to indicate a chain of Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, and Montreal.” Samuel de Champlain, known as the “Father or New France”, was an extraordinary explorer and leader. He founded the colony of Quebec, charted the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Cape Cod, and canoed inland as far as Lake Huron. He established peaceful relations with the Algonquin and Huron and over the course of 30 years nurtured the small French settlements he founded. He was an acute observer, honest chronicler, and an accomplished artist. This is his first illustrated book and in addition to the maps includes depictions of Native people. “Besides John White’s depictions of Carolina Indians later published by de Bry, these are virtually the only images of coastal Indians from the early exploration period which seem to have a basis in actual observation, not seriously tampered with by the engravers” (Creating America). The work was part of the overall plan to gain as much support as possible for the fledgling colony. It is interesting to note that Champlain relies on only his own first-hand knowledge and what he learns from Natives for his geography. Other European sources that he had not substantiated he relayed with caution. Particularly noticeable are the northern shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Maritimes marked with the legend “L'auteur na point encore recognu sette coste.” Montreal is shown just a year after Champlain set up a trading post there. However, it was not to be permanently occupied until 1642. The area further upriver is derived from Native sources. Lake Ontario, depicted quite accurately, is marked “Lac Contenant 15 Iourees des canaux des sauuages.” At the western end of the lake is Sault de Au, the first reference on a printed map to Niagara Falls (Burden). The smaller map is nearly as scarce, and important. This map records the discovery by Henry Hudson of the bay named after him. This map has both latitude and longitude, “something virtually never attempted before on a North American map of such detail. Champlain's acute awareness of the deviation of the compass enables him to portray the St. Lawrence River in its more correct south-west to north-east flow rather than the more usual west to east.'' This work also contains the first soundings of North America (Burden). Champlain’s battle with the Iroquois near present-day Ticonderoga is depicted in the engraving opposite p. 132. In the center is a small figure firing his rifle, a self-portrait of Champlain and the only known lifetime portrait of him. It is also the first published depiction of any scene in present-day New York. Very rare. According to the auction records of RBH, only two complete copies have sold at auction in the last fifty years: the Siebert-McKinney copy most recently in 2009 and the DuPont copy in 1991. The DuPont copy has the important Hudson Bay map in its second state; the state was not specified in the Siebert copy. In the present copy it is in the extremely rare first state. Alden & Landis 613⁄30; Burden 160-161; Church 360; Harrisse, Nouvelle France 27; Kershaw, 60ff; Lande 116; Sabin 11835; Schwartz & Ehrenberg, pp 85ff; Streeter sale 3630. Two parts in one, quarto (230 x 183 mm). Eight folding maps including the large “Carte geographique de la nouvelle franse faictte par le sieur de Champlain” (resized, neat reinforcements at folds, a short fold split) and "Carte geographique de la nouvelle franse en son vray mondia" in its first state with a ship in upper right and no indication of the Ottawa River; three additional folding engraved plates; 13 engravings in the text, one woodcut diagram, woodcut head- and tail-pieces and initials (minor browning, small marginal repairs to G4 and I4, K gathering with a pale corner dampstain, blank corners torn from L4, O3, and plate at p.132). Early vellum over boards, spine lettered in Italian manuscript (a few tiny restorations at edges and endpapers). Custom full morocco case. Provenance: a few early unidentified shelf marks – Ernest Keet III (bookplate).
Christie's
Jul. 21, 2023
Samuel De Champlain Tercentenary Bronze Bell
Est: $100 - $150
Samuel De Champlain 1608-1908 tercentenary figural cast bronze bell, ht 6 3/4"
Merrill's Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jun. 03, 2015
SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Les Voyages de la Nouvelle France Occidentale Dicte Canada, faits par le Sr. Champlain Xainctongeois, Capitaine pour le Roy en la Marine du Ponant, and toutes les Descouvertes qu'il a faites en ce pais depuis l'an 1603, lusques en l'an 1629; Paris: chez Pierre le Mur, 1632, later vellum cover, the book, dedicated to Cardinal Richelieu, being a fine copy of the second issue of the most complete edition of Champlain's voyages minus the folding map 'CARTE DE LA NOUVUELLE FRANCE...1632' with a treatise on navigation (bound in at the end in this copy), and the Doctrine Chrestienne and Oraison Dominicale in French and in a First Nations language, 4vo. 9 x 6.75 in, 23 x 17 cm
Walker's
Jun. 07, 2014
Samuel de Champlain, Carte de la Nouvelle France
Est: $75,000 - $90,000
Samuel de Champlain (1574-1635). Carte de la Nouvelle France. Engraving on laid paper, 20 1/2 x 34 inches. Published in Champlain's "Voyages de la Nouvelle France Occidentale." Paris. 1632. Second State.
Arader Galleries
Dec. 11, 2011
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de.
Est: $600 - $800
The Works. 7 Vols.. 8vo. 30 folding maps & plates. 81 illus. on 75 plates. original gilt-stamped cloth, t.e.g. Toronto: Champlain Society, 1922-1936. Limited crested edition, one of 550 copies. TPL 30.(7)
Walker's
Jun. 24, 2009
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain Xaintongeois, Capitaine ordinaire pour le Roy, en la marine. Divisez en deux livres. Ou, Journal tres-fidele des observations faites és descouvertures de la Nouvelle France .
Est: $60,000 - $80,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain Xaintongeois, Capitaine ordinaire pour le Roy, en la marine. Divisez en deux livres. Ou, Journal tres-fidele des observations faites és descouvertures de la Nouvelle France. Paris: Jean Berjon, 1613. Two parts in one, 4o (219 x 163 mm). 7 folding maps, 3 folding plates, 13 copper engravings in the text, one woodcut diagram, woodcut head- and tail-pieces and initials (large folding "Carte Geographique de la Nouvelle Franse" in facsimile, some of the images cropped along foremargins). Early 20th-century red morocco gilt, edges gilt, by Trigardon. Provenance: Ogden Goelet (his sale 3 January 1935, lot 50, John E. Scopes agent for); John W. Whiteley (bookplate). FIRST EDITION OF THE SECOND PUBLISHED ACCOUNT OF CHAMPLAIN'S VOYAGES, containing the relations of four voyages to America made between 1604 and 1613. "The volume deals very fully with the natural history of the country, its soil and products, and is especially minute in its description of the manners, customs, and habits of the Indians. In this edition the text is much fuller than in that of 1632..." (Church). The large folding map is lacking in most copies found on the market, and the book is VERY SCARCE: according to American Book Prices Current, only two complete copies and three incomplete copies have sold at auction in the last thirty years. Church 360; Sabin 11835; Lande 116; Alden 613/30; JCB (3) II: 93; Streeter sale VI, 3630. A fine copy of a book rarely found complete.
Christie's
Dec. 11, 2007
Champlain, Samuel de
Est: $60,000 - $90,000
Voyages et descouvertes faites en la Nouvelle France, depuis l'année 1615 iusques à la fin de l'année 1618. Paris: Claude Collet, 1620 8vo (6 7/8 x 4 1/4 in.; 175 x 107 mm). Additional engraved emblematic title-page dated 1619, woodcut device on letterpress title, decorative woodcut initials, woodcut and typographic head- and tail-pieces, 2 folding engraved plates, 4 full-page engraved illustrations, with terminal blanks V7-8; a few tiny wormholes and tracks in lower margin unobtrusively touching the edges of the engravings and a single letter on five or six text pages, first folding plate just shaved at fore-edge, small dampstain to lower margin of engraved title, gathering B with traces of staining, gathering V lightly browned. Contemporary vellum over stiff boards, overlapping fore-edges, plain endpapers, blue-sprinkled edges; minor abrasion to rear cover, lightly soiled.
Sotheby's
Apr. 16, 2007
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Voyages et descouuertures faites en la nouvelle faites en la Nouvelle France, depuis l'année 1615. iusques à la fin de l'année 1618. Paris: Claude Collet, 1620.
Est: $25,000 - $35,000
CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (1567-1635). Voyages et descouuertures faites en la nouvelle faites en la Nouvelle France, depuis l'année 1615. iusques à la fin de l'année 1618. Paris: Claude Collet, 1620. 8 o (173 x 108 mm). Engraved title, two engraved folding plates and 4 full-page engravings in text. (Some pale spotting at beginning.) French 18th-century mottled sheep, spine panelled and gilt-decorated, brown morocco lettering piece (minor rubbing at corners). "THE FATHER OF NEW FRANCE": CHAMPLAIN'S NARRATIVE OF HIS FINAL EXPEDITION OF DISCOVERY This is the reissue of the 1619 edition, differing only in the date on the letterpress title-page and some minor details (the engraved title still bears the date 1619). This is Champlain's third work, describing his voyages from 1615 to 1618. "It describes his introduction of the Recollect Fathers as missionaries to the Indians, his exploration of the river of the Ottawas, Lake Nipissing, Lake Huron, and Ontario; the attack on the Iroquois fort in the State of New York; his winter among the Hurons; and it contains his incomparable essay on the Hurons and other neighboring tribes. It has Brûlé's narrative of his experiences among the savages on the southern borders of the State of New York, near the Pennsylvania line, and that of the events which occurred in the settlement at Quebec; it contains illustrations of the dress of the savages in their wars and feasts, of their monuments for the dead, their funeral processions, of the famous fort of the Iroquois in the State of New York, and of the deer-trap" (Winsor IV:132). Alden & Landis 620/45; Church 378; Harrisse 33; JCB (3) II:146; Sabin 11837.
Christie's
Jan. 10, 2001
Champlain, Samuel de
Est: $80,000 - $120,000
Champlain, Samuel de Les Voyages de la Nouvelle France Occidentale, dicte Canada, faits par le SR de Champlain & depuis l'an 1603. iusques en l'an 1629 & a Monseigneur le Cardinal Duc de Richelieu. Paris: Chez Pierre Le-Mur, 1632 4to (8 3/4 x 6 3/4 in.; 222 x 171 mm). COLLATION: A4 (prelims); A-Z, Aa-PP4 QQ2 (part I); A-Z, Aa-Qq4 (part II, Qq4 blank); A4 (map index); A-G4 (Traitte de la Marine, G4 blank); A-B4 C2 (Doctrine Chrestienne); B4 (Table of contents for parts I and II): 360 leaves in all, complete, including blanks; part I, pp. 27-30 (D2.3) a cancel half-sheet, as in most copies. DOUBLE-SHEET ENGRAVED MAP; 6 in-text engravings (pt. I, pp. 245, 259, 265, 291, 299, 304); in-text engraved map (Traitte, p. 23); in-text woodcut (Traitte, p. 52). Small rust hole in margin of title-leaf, a rust stain in part II, Q4; scattered slight spotting, browning, and ink show-through, intrinsic to the paper quality; the double-sheet map with 3 clean fold-separations, the left latitude scale trimmed with loss of some figures, minor loss and mis-register where the two sheets are joined; overall, a fine copy. Contemporary vellum. THE FINAL COLLECTED EDITION of Champlain's voyages, "Perhaps the most important of the old editions" of Champlain (Church). It draws into connected narrative all nine of Champlain's voyages as well as other French voyages. Part I (308 pages) is essentially a reprint of the 1619 Voyages; part II (310 pages), covering the history of Canada 1620-1631 including Champlain's ninth voyage, is entirely new. This copy is in the most complete state, including Champlain's important Traitte de la Marine (54 pages), and the Jesuit Doctrine Chrestienne and catechism in parallel columns, Alqonquin (langue des Montagnars de Canada) and French (20 pages). This last is not present in all copies. The title-page of the 1632 Voyages is known in three different imprint states, each naming a different Paris bookseller, Claude Collet, Pierre Le-Mur, and Lousi Sevestre. A considerable number of setting variants have been noted by Church, the Bell catalogue, and elsewhere; these have still not been bibliographically analyzed, but it is clear that the majority of them are in-press correction states, varying from copy to copy regardless of imprint, according to how sheets were randomly gathered. In this copy, as in most, pp. 27-30, the half-sheet D2.3, is in a cancel setting. In the uncancelled setting, Champlain had made an overly rude remark concerning the ignorance of royal councillors in matters concerning navigation, which was suppressed in the cancel. The 1632 engraved map has not been closely studied as a physical production. In this copy and all reproductions we have seen, the two sheets comprising the map are partially trimmed along the line where they join, producing slightly variant losses in each impression. In the present copy, the plate of the right-hand sheet appears to be slightly taller than that of the left-hand sheet, the vertical platemarks measuring 523 mm and 511 mm respectively. (According to European Americana, the map issued by LeMur and Sevestre is "larger" than that of the Collet issue). References: Bell Jesuit Relations pp. 239-47; Boucher 34; Church 420 (variant imprint); European Americana 632/21 (cf. 20, 22); Gagnon 766; Harrisse Nouvelle France 51; Pilling Algonquian pp. 80-81; Sabin 11839n; Schwartz & Ehrenberg p. 89, pl. 46; Streeter sale 6:3631 Provenance: Frank T. Siebert (Sotheby's New York, 21 May, 1999, lot 7)
Sotheby's