Poland--Van Pfau, Philip Theodor.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

one of the rarest maps of poland and lithuania of the eighteenth century.

Von Pfau was commissioned by Frederick the Great to male a full-scale survey of Poland and Lithuania in preparation for the partition of Poland in 1772. The survey, on twenty-five sheets, was the best available map of Poland in print. Nonetheless, Frederick insisted that part of western Poland be re-surveyed; this work was carried out, in great secrecy, by four Prussian army officers, commanded by von Pfau. Their new survey resulted in six supplementary sheets, intended to supercede the sections of the original map.

This example of the map includes the full set of twenty-five original map sheets as well as the six supplementary sheets, uniformly mounted on the original linen. As the supplementary sheets were intended as replacements, it seems likely that very few examples of the map survive with both original and the supplementary sheets.