A map of eastern North America made late in the 17th century sold for $275,000 in England this January. A map of eastern North America made late in the 17th century sold for $275,000 in England this January.

A rare map of eastern North America has fetched more than $270,000 at auction in England.

The hand-drawn sheepskin map from 1699 was designed for merchants and traders.

It shows many Newfoundland communities such as Aquaforte and Cape Broyle.

Richard Kay of Lawrence's Auctioneers in Somerset, England, said whoever stored the map didn't realize its value.

"It was folded up and was found resting near a water tank in the attic of a house in Aberdeenshire in northeastern Scotland," Kay said.

He said a map dealer in the United Kingdom purchased it.