Addressing the Canny Investor

Stumped this holiday season for what to give that “person with
everything?” One category of gift that can be found in almost
every price range is a genuine antique map or print. Presented
framed or matted, or simply “as is,” an antique map or print is
a gift that can be tailored for any individual on your list, and
it’s a gift that will stand out for its thoughtfulness and
uniqueness.

Sound expensive? Well, it can be of course, but you may be
surprised to learn that antique prints of all kinds can be quite
affordable, sometimes starting as low as $25. And yes, they are
still the “real thing” - antique, printed works of art on paper,
usually hand-colored at the time of publication, and generally
more than 100 years old.

The collecting of antique maps and prints is an old pursuit, and
one that has been practiced for centuries. This is one of the
reasons why there is a well-established worldwide market. Most
antique maps and prints on the market today began life as a page
in a book - perhaps an atlas, or a book of botanical prints, or
a natural history book. But don’t be put off by the fact that
these prints (plates, as they are known in collecting circles)
are derived from books. Antique books are very different from
the books of today. The pages were printed by a less automated
method, sometimes even on a hand-operated press. Illustrated
pages (the prints we collect today) were printed separately from
the text pages, and, if color was needed, each page was
individually hand-colored. These very small print runs were then
collated and bound into books, often with a beautiful leather
binding. Over the centuries, books were broken apart, and the
prints have been circulated ever since. In terms of origin,
there is no substantive difference between a large, genuine
Audubon print selling for tens of thousands of dollars and a
fifty dollar antique print from a lesser known bird book.

The most compelling reason for considering an antique map or
antique print as a gift is that it can truly be personalized for
just about anyone on your list. First, it’s obvious that
everyone is from somewhere, which means that an antique map of a
hometown or country is always a fascinating gift for the
recipient. For the United States, it is almost always possible
to find a mid-19th century state map, and frequently, town and
regional maps as well. If you are looking for an antique map
from overseas, choices abound, with country and regional maps
from every part of the world (or the known world, depending on
the year of publication) and from all time periods.

Antique maps of the home town or “the old country” are just the
beginning when it comes to personalizing a gift. Different
genres of maps appeal to different people - for example, antique
harbor charts or sea charts for the sailors on your list,
antique geological maps for rock collectors, antique island maps
for travelers, and so on. Turning to antique prints, another
world opens up. Antique botanical prints - often with gorgeous
hand coloring - are perfect for gardeners and plant lovers;
antique exploration prints for outdoor enthusiasts, antique
historical prints, antique fashion prints, antique architectural
prints, antique racehorse prints, culinary prints, butterfly
prints, nautical prints, sporting prints, even shimmering,
illuminated manuscript pages, and much more, are all available.
The list, in effect, is almost endless. It is difficult to
conceive of the person who, when presented with an antique print
that reflects their special interest, could fail to be gratified
and made to feel a little more special.

Be creative about your gift list. When choosing an antique map,
hometowns and states are the most popular, but also consider
college towns, honeymoon spots, favorite vacation places, and so
forth. If you’re considering a print, then just think about your
recipient’s favorite hobby, food, sport, avocation, or other
pastime. It is guaranteed that over the centuries, other people
have enjoyed the same things, and the perfect, hand-colored
print will be out there.

Where to find antique maps and prints and what to look for?
Without question, the internet has revolutionized this field,
which for centuries was conducted in dusty old bookshops,
antique stores, and by dealer catalog. Dealers abound on the
internet, and search engines such as Google or Yahoo. will allow
you to access hundreds of antique map and print websites. Begin
by visiting a variety of dealer sites. A site such as VintageMaps.com, an
internet-based antique map and print dealer since 1997, will
give you a feel for the type of material available. When
visiting sites, you should feel free to contact the dealer and
ask questions about maps or prints that interest you. Make sure
that the dealer will provide a signed statement of authenticity,
and that the condition of the print is at least “very good.” A
“money-back” guarantee of satisfaction is also usual practice
among reputable dealers. If you are considering buying in an
online auction, you need to be very careful. You can’t be sure
that the seller is providing accurate information, and there is
no question of returning an item if it’s not satisfactory. When
it comes to buying from an online auction, it’s “buyer beware.”

If you plan to frame an antique print as a gift, the work is
best done by a local framer whom you trust. Ordering your
framing job over the internet is usually not a good choice - the
appearance of the frame and the quality of materials are hard to
judge on a screen. So leave an extra three weeks for the framing
work. Finally, remember that the more specific the requirements
you demand of an antique map or print, the earlier you will want
to begin searching for it. Dealers are at their busiest around
holiday times, so start your shopping early. Happy hunting.