Question 1

What makes an antique map valuable?

Accepted Answer

Five factors drive antique map values: cartographic significance (first mapping of a region, new geographic discoveries, innovative projection techniques), mapmaker reputation (Mercator, Ortelius, Blaeu, Speed, and Homann are consistently collected), aesthetic quality (hand-colored examples with elaborate cartouches, sea monsters, and decorative borders command premiums), condition (clean paper, vivid color, absence of foxing and tears), and subject matter (maps of personally relevant regions and historically significant territories sell best). A 1570 Ortelius atlas page in excellent condition sells for 500 to 5,000 dollars. A complete Blaeu 'Atlas Major' (c. 1665) can reach 150,000 to over 1 million dollars. Maritime charts showing trade routes and harbor approaches are prized by nautical collectors.

Question 2

How do I tell an original antique map from a reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Examine the paper: antique paper made from linen rags has a characteristic feel, visible chain lines (from the paper mold), and often watermarks. Modern reproductions use wood-pulp paper that fluoresces bright white under UV light, while antique paper shows little fluorescence. Check for plate marks: copperplate engravings leave a depressed rectangular impression in the paper where the plate edge pressed during printing. Lithographic reproductions lack this impression. Hand coloring shows slight variations in saturation and occasional brushstroke evidence under magnification. Original maps are typically found on individual sheets or bound in atlases with contemporary binding; reproductions often appear on modern paper stock or in modern frames. Centerfold lines from atlas binding are a positive indicator of authenticity.

Question 3

Are celestial charts and star maps collectible?

Accepted Answer

Celestial charts are a specialized and undervalued segment of the map market. Andreas Cellarius's 'Harmonia Macrocosmica' (1660) pages, showing elaborate Ptolemaic and Copernican celestial systems, sell for 3,000 to 15,000 dollars per plate. Johann Bayer's 'Uranometria' (1603) star charts sell for 1,000 to 5,000 dollars per plate. 19th-century celestial charts by Alexander Jamieson and Richard Andree are more accessible at 100 to 500 dollars. The visual drama of celestial charts, with mythological constellation figures against starfield backgrounds, gives them strong decorative appeal. They are frequently displayed in studies, observatories, and homes as both art and scientific documents.

Question 4

What types of globes are most valuable?

Accepted Answer

Pocket globes (typically 2 to 3 inches diameter, with a celestial globe inside the case and a terrestrial globe outside) by makers like Dudley Adams, Newton, and Lane are charming miniatures selling for 2,000 to 15,000 dollars. Table globes (12 to 18 inch diameter) by Cary, Bardin, and Johnston are the most commonly collected format at 2,000 to 30,000 dollars. Floor-standing globes on elaborate stands by Newton, Smith, and Betts can reach 20,000 to 100,000 dollars. The most valuable are early printed globes by Mercator and Blaeu (16th to 17th century), with surviving examples reaching 200,000 to over 1 million dollars. For any globe, the condition of the printed gores (paper surface) is the critical value factor: foxing, lacquer yellowing, and paper loss all reduce value significantly.

Question 5

How should I store and display antique maps?

Accepted Answer

Frame using acid-free mat board and UV-filtering glass (TruVue Museum Glass or equivalent). Never dry-mount or glue maps to backing boards. Use archival hinges (Japanese tissue with wheat starch paste) for reversible mounting. For unframed storage, interleave with acid-free tissue in flat archival folders or map cabinet drawers. Rolled storage is acceptable for large maps but less preferred than flat. Maintain 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 to 50 percent humidity. Direct sunlight causes irreversible fading of both printed ink and hand coloring within months of exposure. For maps still bound in atlases, consider whether extraction is appropriate: an atlas page removed from its volume loses the context and provenance of its original binding, but gains display potential.

Question 6

What are the most reproduced antique maps?

Accepted Answer

The most frequently reproduced maps include Ortelius's 'Typus Orbis Terrarum' (1570 world map), Blaeu's world maps, the Tabula Peutingeriana (Roman road map), and Mercator's world map. These reproductions range from acknowledged museum-quality facsimiles (clearly labeled, 20 to 100 dollars) to deceptive copies intended to fool buyers. Warning signs of reproduction: artificially aged paper (tea-stained, uniformly toned), modern paper visible under UV light, crisp printing without the slight impression of original engraving, and absence of genuine fold wear or binding marks. Always buy from specialized map dealers who are members of the International Map Collectors' Society (IMCoS) or the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association. For maps priced above 1,000 dollars, request detailed provenance information.

Antique maps and globes collecting and value guide

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Antique Map of Holland and Utrecht by Willem Janszoon Blaeu, c. 1650-1660

Antique cartography and terrestrial globes

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Frequently asked questions about maps & globes