Comments for Geographicus Rare & Antique Map Blog http://www.geographicus.com/blog Antique Maps and the Rare Map Trade Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:32:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Decorating with Rare and Antique Maps by Kevin Brown http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/decorating-with-rare-and-antique-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-71810 Kevin Brown Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:32:41 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=185#comment-71810 It really depends on how large it is, what kind of map it is, what your budget is. Since maps are by nature relatively flat compared to more traditional wall hangings it is important to choose a simple frame that does not overpower the map. Conservation framing of one form or another is highly recommended but you do not need excessive matting - just be certain there is a space between the map and the glass. If you chose a neutral, plain frame, you should be fine. Since the map is very large, I suspect at least 1.5 inch wide fame will be necessary to support the rear architecture that is often necessary to keep the frame stable. Another option is to choose a frame that has a lot of depth, but not much width and float the map. This will look great but you'll need to consult your framer on the particulars. Kevin It really depends on how large it is, what kind of map it is, what your budget is.

Since maps are by nature relatively flat compared to more traditional wall hangings it is important to choose a simple frame that does not overpower the map. Conservation framing of one form or another is highly recommended but you do not need excessive matting – just be certain there is a space between the map and the glass. If you chose a neutral, plain frame, you should be fine. Since the map is very large, I suspect at least 1.5 inch wide fame will be necessary to support the rear architecture that is often necessary to keep the frame stable.

Another option is to choose a frame that has a lot of depth, but not much width and float the map. This will look great but you’ll need to consult your framer on the particulars.

Kevin

]]> Comment on Decorating with Rare and Antique Maps by Elizabeth Moya http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/decorating-with-rare-and-antique-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-71794 Elizabeth Moya Fri, 19 Aug 2011 22:00:03 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=185#comment-71794 I want to display a largish antique map of England in my (smallish) living room. I don't want the frame to be too dominant. Any ideas?. I want to display a largish antique map of England in my (smallish) living room. I don’t want the frame to be too dominant. Any ideas?.

]]> Comment on How are value and price of antique or rare maps determined? by Kevin Brown http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/how-are-value-and-price-of-antique-or-rare-maps-determined/comment-page-1/#comment-68835 Kevin Brown Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:34:51 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=71#comment-68835 Terri - You are welcome to have it appraised if you wish but just as a heads up, maps from this report are not exceptionally valuable. As for framing and conservation, maps from the Andrews Report, which suffer from poor initial production quality, as well as a century or more of folding, tend to be brittle and highly acidic. There are many approaches to framing and preserving such a document and much of this will depend on the map's current condition. Should the condition be good and the map stable, I see no reason not to frame it as is - as long as you follow basic conservation framing procedures. However, if it is ripped, torn, fragile on the fold lines, or splitting, you may want to look at having the map professionally flattened and repaired by an expert restorer. Since the paper is very thin and the map quite large, you'll most likely need to consider some sort of packing material, Japanese tissue or linen, to stabilize the document. If there are major discolorations, this can be cleaned by the restorer as part of the restoration process. Unfortunately restoration is not cheap and, in this case, may well end up costing as much as the map is worth. Kevin Terri -
You are welcome to have it appraised if you wish but just as a heads up, maps from this report are not exceptionally valuable. As for framing and conservation, maps from the Andrews Report, which suffer from poor initial production quality, as well as a century or more of folding, tend to be brittle and highly acidic. There are many approaches to framing and preserving such a document and much of this will depend on the map’s current condition. Should the condition be good and the map stable, I see no reason not to frame it as is – as long as you follow basic conservation framing procedures. However, if it is ripped, torn, fragile on the fold lines, or splitting, you may want to look at having the map professionally flattened and repaired by an expert restorer. Since the paper is very thin and the map quite large, you’ll most likely need to consider some sort of packing material, Japanese tissue or linen, to stabilize the document. If there are major discolorations, this can be cleaned by the restorer as part of the restoration process. Unfortunately restoration is not cheap and, in this case, may well end up costing as much as the map is worth.
Kevin

]]> Comment on How are value and price of antique or rare maps determined? by Terri http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/how-are-value-and-price-of-antique-or-rare-maps-determined/comment-page-1/#comment-68834 Terri Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:14:51 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=71#comment-68834 Hi, your websire its the first I came across regarding antique maps. I have an original Map of the Eastern Portion of The British North America including The Gulf Of Lawrence ,New England States.Compiled from the latest survey of Charts by Henry F Perleyfor the report of MIchael B Andrews. To Hon Thomas Corwin. Secretary of the Treasury. 1853 Do you think this is something I should have appraised? If it is not of great value I would like to have it professionally matted and framed for a wall hanging. If this is the case,do you recommend a special way to mat and frame this so I can preserve it well? Thank you~~ Hi, your websire its the first I came across regarding antique maps. I have an original Map of the Eastern Portion of The British North America including The Gulf Of Lawrence ,New England States.Compiled from the latest survey of Charts
by Henry F Perleyfor the report of MIchael B Andrews. To Hon Thomas Corwin. Secretary of the Treasury. 1853
Do you think this is something I should have appraised? If it is not of great value I would like to have it professionally matted and framed for a wall hanging. If this is the case,do you recommend a special way to mat and frame this so I can preserve it well?
Thank you~~

]]> Comment on The Viele Map of Manhattan’s Topography and Waterways by Georgia Powell http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/505/comment-page-1/#comment-57458 Georgia Powell Fri, 27 May 2011 22:13:24 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=505#comment-57458 What a great piece of history. This map is truly a gem. What a great piece of history. This map is truly a gem.

]]> Comment on The Arrow Points North: Directional Orientation in Antiquarian Cartography by Kevin Brown http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/the-arrow-points-north-directional-orientation-in-antiquarian-cartography/comment-page-1/#comment-57206 Kevin Brown Thu, 26 May 2011 15:43:31 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/the-arrow-points-north-directional-orientation-in-antiquarian-cartography/#comment-57206 Samir- While your simple assumption may seem obvious and certainly the development of the nautical chart and the use of the compass were highly influential on popularizing the convention of north-south orientation, a close examination of historic record reveals a much more complicated path of development. Many of the earliest nautical charts (15th - 17th centuries) were used for compass navigation and did not orient to the north. In fact, it was only much later in the development of the nautical chart that the north-south orientation system became a standardized convention. -Kevin Samir- While your simple assumption may seem obvious and certainly the development of the nautical chart and the use of the compass were highly influential on popularizing the convention of north-south orientation, a close examination of historic record reveals a much more complicated path of development. Many of the earliest nautical charts (15th – 17th centuries) were used for compass navigation and did not orient to the north. In fact, it was only much later in the development of the nautical chart that the north-south orientation system became a standardized convention. -Kevin

]]> Comment on The Arrow Points North: Directional Orientation in Antiquarian Cartography by Samir elbaguer http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/the-arrow-points-north-directional-orientation-in-antiquarian-cartography/comment-page-1/#comment-57200 Samir elbaguer Thu, 26 May 2011 15:05:27 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/the-arrow-points-north-directional-orientation-in-antiquarian-cartography/#comment-57200 As a professional navigator I can assure you that the main reason that maps point north is that magnetic compasses point north and when they widely came into use It was logical to orient maps that way, since orienting them in any other direction would unnecessarily complicate course plotting.and navigation. As a professional navigator I can assure you that the main reason that maps point north is that magnetic compasses point north and when they widely came into use It was logical to orient maps that way, since orienting them in any other direction would unnecessarily complicate course plotting.and navigation.

]]> Comment on How are value and price of antique or rare maps determined? by Kevin Brown http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/how-are-value-and-price-of-antique-or-rare-maps-determined/comment-page-1/#comment-55584 Kevin Brown Tue, 17 May 2011 12:10:57 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=71#comment-55584 It depends on the overall rarity of the book, the extent of the damage, and if it can be repaired. Generally speaking water damage that intrudes upon the printed area of each map significantly decreases the value of an atlas - and I do mean significantly. It depends on the overall rarity of the book, the extent of the damage, and if it can be repaired. Generally speaking water damage that intrudes upon the printed area of each map significantly decreases the value of an atlas – and I do mean significantly.

]]> Comment on Antique Map of the Week – Kircher’s 1665 Map of the World by Gazette Trad Antiques http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/map-of-the-week-kirchers-1665-map-of-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-44169 Gazette Trad Antiques Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:17:00 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=37#comment-44169 Great read, very enjoyable and I agree with most of what you say! Great read, very enjoyable and I agree with most of what you say!

]]> Comment on How are value and price of antique or rare maps determined? by Katherine http://www.geographicus.com/blog/rare-and-antique-maps/how-are-value-and-price-of-antique-or-rare-maps-determined/comment-page-1/#comment-39120 Katherine Sat, 26 Feb 2011 01:28:08 +0000 http://www.geographicus.com/blog/?p=71#comment-39120 Hello, I have a 1742 Atlas, original, 15" x 22", published "Par le Rouge Ingenieur Geographe du Roy, a Paris." In French. 53 siege and battle maps of European cities, "pour servie a l'Histoire des Guerres de 1741." However, there is a dampstain clearly visible on the upper few inches of most pages. To what extent would you expect such a stain to lessen the value of the Atlas? I am wondering if it makes more sense to have this appraised, or to simply retain it as a family heirloom. Thank you. Hello, I have a 1742 Atlas, original, 15″ x 22″, published “Par le Rouge Ingenieur Geographe du Roy, a Paris.” In French. 53 siege and battle maps of European cities, “pour servie a l’Histoire des Guerres de 1741.” However, there is a dampstain clearly visible on the upper few inches of most pages. To what extent would you expect such a stain to lessen the value of the Atlas? I am wondering if it makes more sense to have this appraised, or to simply retain it as a family heirloom. Thank you.

]]>