Showing posts with label antique maps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antique maps. Show all posts

Collecting Antique Maps



Welcome To Rare Antiques Collectibles and Memorabilia.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you come across a two hundred year old map of the exact town you were born or a city you now live in? That’s the unequal pleasure and enchantment that antique maps hold.


To collect antique maps all really depends on where your interests lie. If you are fascinated by the maps which great explorers like Ferdinand Magellan, Captain James Cook, Christopher Columbus and Hernan Cortes got their hands on then all the better. These kinds of maps command astronomical prices but they can surely be profitable investments.


You may want to collect antique maps because of your geographical interests or for some related global events or industries. Some have fascinations for maps of smaller islands that are top vacation destinations like the West Indies, Bermuda and Malta. Some follow the works of a certain cartographer, among the famous ones are Ortelius,
Blaeu, Bowen, Tallis and Homann.

Some like world maps which make them highly decorative for they are larger than usual and colored which make it favorable for framing, and maps that have some certain mistakes in it like the known California as an island map. Deciding on which maps to collect really depends on the individual tastes and budget.


You shouldn’t have to worry about fakes in antique maps for they are very expensive to make but one should be wary of photo reproductions of old maps. Run your fingers on the paper and feel the texture, if it’s smooth then its not genuine.

Check if there are no evident plate marks around the perimeter, if the margins are trimmed not wide, if there are legends or notations on the borders with dates and the names of printing houses .
Use a high powered magnifying glass called loop and zoom in, if you see matrix of small dots arranged geometrically that make up an image well that’s a true blue reproduction.

These are just the tell tale signs of a photo reproduction of a map. If you want expert opinion you can consult reputable antique map dealers they will always be happy to serve you.


Factors in maps like creases or folds, staining, molds and soils, browning of the whole paper, if the map is glued or pasted on cardboard or pressboard, tears and rips, if the margins are wide or trimmed, if the color is faded, if the map have highly interesting features like cartouches, sea monsters and ships etc. All these factors have an effect on the value of the map.


It when comes to color of the maps, some maps were issued colorless. Sophisticated and knowledgeable collectors avoid colored maps because the coloring only obscures the beauty of any engraved map that’s one of their profound beliefs.


Storage of these wonderful historic prints are to be taken much into consideration. Like any other works of historic art, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

The use of UV filtering glass or Plexiglas is highly recommended to avoid fading. The storage place should have ideal temperature of preferably 70 degrees F and humidity about 50% and should be kept constant, major fluctuations is a big no no.


Although pre 17th paper are not acid free, we should preserve it in an acid free surroundings like rematting or reframing of maps to aid these artworks for longevity. There is this new product that comes in various forms that absorb and de-sorb moisture to protect the artwork.

Are you ready to buy one or two maps that you find interesting? Here’s a tip, road and subway maps maybe the collectibles for the future.

To find out more collectible items always visit Rare Antiques Collectibles and Memorabilia.

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