ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A rare and important Southern map soared to $252,000 against an $80/120,000 estimate at Brunk’s Premier auction on March 23.

A Map Of Virginia Formed From Actual Surveys, And The Latest As Well As Most Accurate Observations, By James Madison, D.d. Late President Of W.m & Mary College With Extensive Additions & Corrections To The Year 1818, known more succinctly as the “1818 Bishop James Madison Map Of Virginia,” had been acquired by Colonial Williamsburg directly from a descendant of the printer. As such, it is perhaps the only known copy of Madison’s map to survive, as it was issued in six individual sheets with uncut margins. The map was carefully assembled for exhibition by Colonial Williamsburg’s paper conservator so that it retains the margins.

The Right Reverend James Madison (1749–1812) was the first bishop of the Diocese of Virginia of the Episcopal Church. Aware of the need for a new scientific map of Virginia, Madison assumed the task of gathering data for the project. His goal was to improve earlier observations of latitude and longitude, to ensure the correctness of newly formed county boundaries, to gather the most up-to-date information on the courses of rivers and bearings on mountains from regional surveys and to depict the state’s boundaries accurately.

Printed in six separate sections and then assembled, it includes state of Ohio, state of Kentucky and portion of Michigan Territory, 41 by 71½ inches.

Acquired by Colonial Williamsburg in 1990, the map’s sale proceeds benefit the acquisitions fund.