Selling Maps to Altea Gallery

At Altea Gallery we are always interested in buying individual maps or entire map collections, and would be only too happy to hear from you if you have something you are thinking of selling. 

By far the best manner for us to properly evaluate your maps, would be to make an appointment with us and then bring the items in for appraisal, please either call or email us beforehand on: (+44) (0)207 491 0010 or email at: info@alteagallery.com. 

The next best course of action would be to send an email to us with a digital image/s attached and the relevant information included. We have given you some pointers below to help with your description. 

Email: info@alteagallery.com

  • If you don't know the mapmaker's name, don't worry! Usually we can ascertain the maker with the title and photo in conjunction.
  • Send us the first ten words. Often many maps have the same titles but different makers with only a small change or spelling providing the clue as to who the maker is.
  • When measuring the map please just give us the size of the printed surface, not the size of the whole sheet !
  • Please tell us if there is any text on the back of the map and what language that text is in (eg. Latin, French etc)
  • If there are creases, discolourations, tears or holes in the map please tell us about them. Often holding the map up to a light can help in assessing its condition.
  • Many important and beautiful maps have been and are still reproduced, thus some maps may not be all they seem to be. Things to watch out for are modern "plasticky" paper, museum details in the margins and pixels (these are the little coloured dots that make up modern coloured prints and can be easily seen under a magnifying glass). Most antique maps would have been printed using a copperplate, steel plate or wood block, these processes leave small indentations on the surface of the map, which can be picked up by running your finger along the paper. Finally does your map have a "plate mark"? This term refers to the square impression left a few centimetres outside the printed border, when the printing "plate" was pressed down on the paper to print the map.

 

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Selling Maps to Altea Gallery

At Altea Gallery we are always interested in buying individual maps or entire map collections, and would be only too happy to hear from you if you have something you are thinking of selling. 

By far the best manner for us to properly evaluate your maps, would be to make an appointment with us and then bring the items in for appraisal, please either call or email us beforehand on: (+44) (0)207 491 0010 or email at: info@alteagallery.com. 

The next best course of action would be to send an email to us with a digital image/s attached and the relevant information included. We have given you some pointers below to help with your description. 

Email: info@alteagallery.com

  • If you don't know the mapmaker's name, don't worry! Usually we can ascertain the maker with the title and photo in conjunction.
  • Send us the first ten words. Often many maps have the same titles but different makers with only a small change or spelling providing the clue as to who the maker is.
  • When measuring the map please just give us the size of the printed surface, not the size of the whole sheet !
  • Please tell us if there is any text on the back of the map and what language that text is in (eg. Latin, French etc)
  • If there are creases, discolourations, tears or holes in the map please tell us about them. Often holding the map up to a light can help in assessing its condition.
  • Many important and beautiful maps have been and are still reproduced, thus some maps may not be all they seem to be. Things to watch out for are modern "plasticky" paper, museum details in the margins and pixels (these are the little coloured dots that make up modern coloured prints and can be easily seen under a magnifying glass). Most antique maps would have been printed using a copperplate, steel plate or wood block, these processes leave small indentations on the surface of the map, which can be picked up by running your finger along the paper. Finally does your map have a "plate mark"? This term refers to the square impression left a few centimetres outside the printed border, when the printing "plate" was pressed down on the paper to print the map.