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Resources to Learn More About Maps

What really drives us is our interest in maps and our curiosity about the stories that lie behind them.

Neatline has developed our trademark descriptions, which are some of the most in-depth studies of individual maps that you will find on the market. Moreover, we are dedicated to sharing our knowledge, and making sure that our material and insight reaches far beyond our customers. We want the world to appreciate what maps tell us about ourselves.

Educators or dealers?

We invite you to explore some of our educational materials below: watch some our videos, surf through our cartographers index, or sit back and take the time to read some of the exciting descriptions we have provided for our best maps. Neatline’s trademark descriptions do not just describe, they elucidate the maps’ historical context and explain why they are important historical documents.

For educators who are interested in incorporating maps and cartography into their teaching, or who wish to learn more about how maps can be integrated as great educational tools, please feel free to reach out to us. We are always open to new and inspiring collaborations.

Neatline is headed to Milan

The sixth edition of the Milano Map Fair will be held on January 20th, 2018 at Hotel Michelangelo in Milan. We […]

The Niger River

World maps display the surface of a sphere on a flat surface, necessarily introducing distortion. In the Mercator projection, named […]

Vasco da Gama lands in Kozhikode, India

In 1498, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, landed at present-day Kozhikode, India, which was then Calicut, “The City of […]

Columbus and the 1492 hurricane season

The basic facts around the explorations of Christopher Columbus are known to most: under the patronage of Queen Isabella and […]

Francisco de Orellana: Crystal skulls, Amazons, and the Land of Cinnamon

In the 21st century, it’s possible that the conquistador Francisco de Orellana is best known from the film Indiana Jones […]

Exploration & Science – Alexander von Humboldt

The earliest explorers were financially motivated; Columbus, Drake, Hudson (among many others) were looking for wealth, whether through trade or […]

The Great Trigonometrical Survey

Before orbital satellites, mapping large areas was a difficult task. At sea, after the problem of calculating longitude had been […]

Faden/Roberts

The “Legendary lost chart of Captain Cook.” Featured map: 1784 Roberts/Faden – Chart of the N. W. Coast of America […]

The Fantastic Other (Ibn Battuta)

Like Marco Polo, another long sojourner in the Mongolian Empire was Muhammad Ibn Battuta, who, in 1325 CE, set out […]

Marco Polo – Life on the road

A long vacation might last a month, which allows plenty of time to travel to the opposite side of the […]

Longitude

In this era of smart phones and wireless connectivity, we know where things are (at least in a global sense). […]

Roman Roads and the London Underground

A particularly conspicuous feature of the cultural landscape of the first and second century CE Mediterranean was a network of […]

FAQs

Why buy an antique map rather than a reproduction?

The answer to this question depends on your goals. If you simply want something to fill a blank wall, a reproduction might be your best approach.

However, reproductions lack the aesthetic qualities of the original. Original authentic objects carry imaginative power from their associations in time and place. A mass-produced object, fundamentally indistinguishable from other members of its production run, will suddenly gain value through its association, as, for example, a baseball that happens to be used for a historic play.

For many, that association is powerful. Like a piece of authentic Louis XV furniture, a map published in the 18th century in France has a history: it has survived revolutions and wars along with the everyday dangers of accident and decay.

In the 1930s, Walter Benjamin famously argued that original works of art had an “aura,” an authenticity related to its time and place. It is this aura, this authenticity, that makes antiques special. It is possible to buy a modern reproduction of an authentic antique. But that reproduction has none of the aura of the original work, none of its imaginative power.

How do I know if my map is real?

Assessing whether a map is real or fake takes a trained eye. The first aspect to determine is how the map was printed. Woodblock cuts, copper or steel plate engravings, and lithographs are the most common printing methods. These types are relatively easy to recognize. A plate etching is precisely that: a motif etched in reverse and then pressed onto the paper. The paper must be of a certain thickness and quality to handle the force, and the printing process will leave an impression outside the map area.

In most cases, the impression is visible to the naked eye and can be felt by running your fingertips over it. When discerning a lithograph from a later offset print, using a strong magnifying glass is best. If the applied image consists of numerous tiny dots, it is an offset; lithographs will appear as a more coherent blob.

So, here are things to consider:
1. Is the paper appropriate to the age of the map?
2. Is the printing style correct? Is there a clear plate mark?
3. Check for obvious marks that it is a legal reproduction.

How do I know if my map has any value?

If it has a title or other large text, it is best to copy this carefully and google it. Most maps are multiples, meaning they have been produced in many copies, and so chances are that some collection, dealer, or auction house somewhere has handled it. This information will only give you a first impression, though, as some maps exist in many different states, which range considerably in value.

Maps speak to us about how humanity’s understanding of the world progressed. Some maps are appealing because they changed how we look at the world, while others are attractive because they reflect a single cartographer’s vision. It is hard to say which resonates more significantly on the market. If your map has age, is authentic, and does not figure a hundred times on eBay for $20, chances are your map might be worth something. Remember that only the rarest maps are very valuable, so even if you find something that looks like it comes with a high price tag, this may not always be the case. If you are in doubt, never hesitate to contact us. We are happy to provide you with a free and non-binding assessment.

Does Neatline have any specific area of focus?

Among our many areas of expertise, the following stand out: San Francisco, California, the American West, Colonial America, Railroad maps, the Northwest Passage, early exploration and mapping, and the scientific mapping of the Middle East.

Neatline is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America), ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), IMCoS (International Map Collectors’ Society), the California Map Society, and others.

Neatline is an online boutique based in San Francisco.

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