N e w s l e t t e r    -   August, 1999

  This issue:  Antique maps.

What is an original map ?  How can you date maps ?

Specialists in the map trade agree that only the manuscript map from which the engraver made the block or plate can be considered technically an original.   Traditionally, a print made made a particular woodblock or copper plate is regarded as an "original" until that block or plate is destroyed. Most professionals in the antique business have relatively little experience with antique maps and many do not realise that "originals" can continue to be printed for decades or longer as authentic, original prints. This point leads us to the next question concerning dating of maps.

How can you therefore date maps ? As mentioned above, according to the definition of an original map, printing blocks or plates were in use for decades, a century or more, with details added or deleted. If the impression on a print is strong and clear, the map could be from an early edition, a weak impression would probably indicate the opposite.  Geographical evidence can also be a useful guide to dating and show when new discoveries were made.  Watermarks offer some help, but paper was often in use for a period of forty or fifty years.  Changes in text, publisher's names, heraldic shields, cartouches, all have an important imput on dating maps. 

What to collect ?

An auction took place in 1979 which had an atlas that was sold for approximatley $ 450,000.  It contained the only known manuscript maps by Mercator and was an extremely rare item and therefore sold for a good price. Specialists in the map trade have pointed out that certain areas of the world have been neglected by collectors and it is possible to assume that mpas of South America, Africa, India and other developing nations will increase in value.  Surprisingly, maps of the British Isles have only recently become of interest. Sea charts, town plans, early editions of ordance survey maps have also become interesting to collectors in recent years.

Where may old maps be seen in Europe ?

A partial listing includes:

London:  National Maritime museum, British library, Royal Geographical Society

Edinburgh:  University library

Oxford:  Bodeian library

Paris:  Bibliotheque Nationale

Amsterdam:  Nederlandsh Historisch Sheepvaart museum

Berlin:  Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz

Rome:  Bibliotheca Nazionale

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