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How were antique prints and maps printed? A brief overview of printing methods
The purpose of printing has always been to make multiple exact copies of a given image, map or text. Different methods of printing have been developed over time to achieve this. The main techniques used to print antique maps and prints are as follows: Relief processes (woodblocks, wood cuts, wood engraving) – starting from a flat block or plate, […]
Do you offer framing and matting/mounting services for antique maps and prints?
No, we do not provide framing or mounting services. We sell antique maps and prints predominantly online (although if you are in London you are always welcome to arrange a visit), and we recommend that you arrange for your map or print to be framed locally once you have received it. We try to offer maps […]
What is an antique map/print/ What is a vintage map/print?
Antique maps and prints were printed, engraved or drawn at least 100 years ago. We consider that vintage maps and prints were printed, engraved or drawn between 50 and 100 years ago. We sell both antique and vintage items, and a small number of items which we printed more recently than 50 years ago where […]
The antique map/print I like is uncoloured. Can you get it hand coloured for me?
Yes, we can arrange for most antique engraved maps and prints that you have purchased from us to be coloured by hand to your specifications. We use the services of an external professional antique map and print colourist. The cost of providing this service depends on the size of any maps or prints to be coloured, and […]
Do you offer appraisal and valuation services for antique maps and prints?
Yes, we can provide an opinion of the value of your maps or prints. We charge £100 per hour, with a minimum charge of 1 hour, and will provide you with our written opinion of valuation. Depending on the nature of the items to be appraised, we can usually provide valuations for several items per hour. A physical inspection […]
Do you sell reproductions?
No, we do not sell modern reproductions. All of our maps and prints are authentic antique or vintage maps, printed or engraved at the date stated in the product description. If there is some uncertainty about the exact date of publication of a map or print, the publication date is stated to be “circa” or “c.” a […]
If my item is not as expected, can I return it for a refund?
We have a no-questions-asked return policy and we accept returns of any antique & vintage maps and prints for any reason if sent back to us suitably packed and insured within 14 days of receipt of your item. The return mailing address stated on our contact us page. We will provide a full refund once we have […]
Does the print/map come in a different size?
Items offered for sale as original items are only available in the size at which they were originally printed. The limitations of traditional engraving methods did not offer flexibility to print the same image in different sizes. If you find a similar engraved image offered for sale elsewhere in a different size, then it is […]
What is the weight of the paper on which the print/map is printed?
The weight/thickness of paper on which prints and maps has been published varies considerable. If a print or map has been printed on particularly thin paper this is stated within the product listing.
Is this item a paper, wooden or metal object?
Virtually all items that we offer for sale are prints on paper. “Wood engraved print”, “wood engraving”, “woodcut”, “woodblock”, “steel engraving”, “copperplate” and similar terms refer to the material used for the engraved block or plate from which the print or map was created. Engraved prints and maps are made by engraving a flat metal (steel or copper) plate or wooden block […]
What are the dimensions of the print/map?
The dimensions of all items are stated in their respective product listings in both metric (centimetre) and imperial (inch) measurements. The dimensions stated are that of the printed image area as shown in the listing. They exclude any margins around the print, any caption printed below the print/map and any title above the print/map not shown […]
Can you send me a scan of the whole print/map including the margins?
Our prints and maps are offered for sale on the basis of the images included in their respective listings. Each map listing includes an image of the entire map and a second close up image of part of the map, normally from the centre of the image, to show the level of printed detail. All […]
Where did you get the print/map from?
The provenance of each item is stated in the product listing.
Is the date of publication printed on the item?
The date of publication is sometimes printed on a map or print, more often for older maps, but we do not guarantee this. Items extracted from periodicals often have the exact day of publication printed at the top or bottom of each page; they can often otherwise be closely dated by reference to information on births, marriages, deaths or other […]
Will I receive a certificate of authenticity?
We are always happy to provide a Certificates of Authenticity upon request. If you request a certificate before your order has been dispatched, it will be included with your order. If you request a certificate after your order has been dispatched, it will sent in pdf format by email for you to print out yourself. In common with […]
How do I verify that my print/map is authentic?
Most items that we offer for sale can be authenticated by reference to their physical characteristics. Different printing methods produce prints with differing physical characteristics. It is not possible to replicate all these physical characteristics using modern planographic printing methods. Engraving was the most common printing method in 19th century books and newspapers. Engravings are […]
Is the print or map an original?
All items offered for sale are original prints on paper, published at the date stated in the listing, and are not modern copies. The term “Original” when applied to printmaking means that the print or map was published at the first or original date of publication and is not a later copy. “Original” does not imply that […]
Can I set up a trade account?
At our discretion we may offer discounted terms to trade customers. Please contact us for details.
Can you offer a discount?
We don’t offer discounts off the listed price on orders of single items. If you purchase 4 or more items in a single order a 10% discount will automatically be applied at check out. Standard shipping (UK – 1st class mail / International – Airmail) is free of charge if you spend at least £30 […]
Will my order be carefully packed and protected?
We usually pack items which are smaller than A4 size in a stiffened, board-backed envelope. Larger items are rolled and packed in postal tubes. Large items which are too stiff to be rolled in 50mm diameter tubes are either packed in large diameter tubes or mailed in large all-board envelopes reinforced with additional cardboard inserts. It is […]
Do you post/ship antique maps and prints to my country?
Yes, we can post items to any address worldwide. We have supplied approximately 30,000 buyers in over 70 different countries. Over half our orders are sent to customers outside the United Kingdom. We ship orders virtually every business day to customers in North America and Europe. A range of shipping methods are available at checkout including tracked airmail and DHL Express. […]
Can you send me tracking information for my order?
Tracking information may be available depending on your destination and selected posting method. All orders sent to the US are tracked. Tracking information is not available for items sent by First Class mail within the UK or by standard Airmail for items sent to destinations other than the US. Orders sent by Special Delivery within […]
Can you let me know when my order has been dispatched?
All customers will receive a shipping notification by email upon dispatch of their order. If you have not received your shipping notification, please check your junk/spam folder, particularly if you have specified a gmail email address.
I need my item sent quickly. How quickly can you get it to me?
We promise to mail items no later than the next business day after receiving cleared payment. Upon checkout we offer expedited shipping by Special Delivery next day delivery within the UK, and by DHL Express for international orders. Orders sent by DHl Express are guaranteed to arrive within 2 days of dispatch to destinations in Europe, within 3 […]
How long will my order take to reach me?
We promise to mail items no later than the next business day after receiving cleared payment. We offer a range of shipping options which you can choose from prior to checkout. Items sent within the UK by First Class Mail usually arrive within 1-2 days. Items sent by standard Airmail usually reach Western Europe within four days, Eastern […]
How do we determine the publication date of antique maps?
Some customers like to see a date printed on a map, and we’re often asked how we know when a particular map was published if that is not the case. We’re always happy to provide a certificate of authenticity for any maps purchased, detailing the provenance of the map and our opinion of its publication […]
Where can I see old maps? A bucket list for the serious antique map tourist
For the traveller with a dedicated interest in old maps, we include a list below of some of the most significant map libraries and collections worldwide. Antique map enthusiast and map tourists can always see old maps in dealers’ showrooms (you are always welcome to come and visit us in London by appointment), but many […]
What is an “original” antique map? How can there be more than one original?
What is an original map? From time to time a customer asks how a map can be an “original” when we have more than one in stock, or when we have another map which is the same or similar, or when he or she has seen the same map somewhere else. Printed maps are created from a […]