Info For Sellers

• 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.

Things To Watch Out For

Please note that 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 printed in the margins or pixelated ink.

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.

If it is not possible to physically bring the items in, the next best course of action would be to send an email to us with a digital images attached and the relevant information including the title of the map, the measurement of the printed surface and any condition issues (including creases, discolouration, tears or holes etc)