Old World Auctions has completed another of its sales of fine and rare maps, which as always saw some spellbinding works go under the hammer with bidders fighting for the right to help them find their way to a new home.

However, there are always a few left over, and these are currently on offer at the seller's reserve price. There are a few real gems for investors to pick up. For example, a 1786 work by Robert Sayer:

A New Map of North America, with the West India Islands, Divided According to the Preliminary Articles of Peace, Signed at Versailles 20 January 1783, wherein are Particularly Distinguished the United States, and the Several Provinces, Governments.

A newly indendent nation - Robert Sayer's USA (Click to enlarge)

This large, influential map had a long and varied publishing history. Originated by Emanuel Bowen & John Gibson and published by Robert Sayer in circa 1755 to illustrate the seat of the French and Indian War, the map went through numerous revisions and editions to document the expanding cartographic knowledge and political landscape of North America.

This is the tenth edition; the second issue following the formation of the United States. The map provides an extremely detailed view of the continent at the conclusion of the American Revolution.

It is currently available for an extremely reasonable price of $3,250 and should make an excellent investment.