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Old Maps and Globes Are Cool

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The earliest maps were printed by cutting the map into a wooden block

Cartography, or the skill of mapmaking, is an age-old tradition with valuable appeal to antique map collectors. What makes a map an antique? An antique map is classified by its age and the process by which it was made. Generally, maps are called antiques when they are 100 years old or older. Also, they must have been created in one of three ways.

The earliest maps were printed by cutting the map into a wooden block, inking the wood and pressing the relief onto paper. Renowned cartographer Munster (c. 1550) was famous for making these types of relief maps. These maps are typically monochromatic and are very rare.

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World Map (Vintage Style) Art Poster Print - 24x36 Poster Print, 36x24 Poster Print, 36x24

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The second process constitutes how most of today's surviving maps were made.

The second process constitutes how most of today's surviving maps were made. Again, a relief of the map was made, but this time from metal plates made of copper or steel. Copper, the more malleable metal, was used from the early 1500s through the early 1800s, when the more durable steel took its place. Nearly all map reliefs made post-1830 were made of steel because it could stand up better to multiple prints.

Lastly, the third process involved surface printing, or lithography. The artist would draw directly onto a prepared stone, eliminating the need for relief engravers. This method was used with numerous colors and stones, causing maps to be more intricate and colorful.

Determining ValueDetermining the value of an antique map is not always easy, but is usually figured using a set of factors. These include supply and demand, the identity of the map (who made it, where, and when) and its condition. Still important are also the rarity of the map, its aesthetic qualities (monochromatic vs. multiple colors), the region depicted, and its historical importance.