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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descriptions do not just describe, they elucidate the maps’ historical context and explain why they are important historical documents.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.

Wackenreuder

A quick look at an 1861 first-edition of Wackenreuder’s seminal map of San Francisco. Featured map: SOLD: 1861 Wackenreuder – […]

Cameron Beccario’s visualization of global weather conditions

This is so cool – a live and interactive map of wind streams (and more!) anywhere on Earth:

Neatline is headed to Rome

The first edition of the Rome Map, Atlas & Travel Book Fair will take place at 80 Piazza Santi Apostoli, […]

San Francisco Map Fair 2017 – September 15-17

The San Francisco Map Fair will take place in the Lodge at the Regency Center, 1290 Sutter St. Antiquarian map dealers from […]

Ortelius Japan

A quick look at Ortelius’s map of Japan and the myth of Korea as an Island. Featured maps: SOLD: 1630 […]

Outside Lands

A short video essay looking at maps and the Outside Lands Act of 1866. Featured maps: 1868 Britton & Rey […]

Happy 4th of July!

SOLD: 1777 Homann Heirs – America Septentrionalis a Domino d’Anville in Galliis edita nunc in Anglia Coloniis in Interiorem Virginiam…

Cosmographia – a landmark achievement of Renaissance scholarship

One of the most successful descriptions of the world from the Renaissance and certainly the most successful of the 16th […]

Happy Canada Day!

1755 Le Rouge – Partie Orientale Du Canada Traduite de l’Anglois de Carte de Jefferys…[Seven Years’ War]

Maps as visual encyclopedias

Maps play many roles: introducing newly discovered lands, illustrating battle scenes, guiding ship captains through treacherous waters, and more. Beginning in […]

Neatline is headed to London!

LONDON MAP FAIR 2017 Saturday 17th June 2017; 12.00 pm to 7.00 pmSunday 18th June 2017; 10.00 am to 6.00 […]

Happy 80th birthday Golden Gate Bridge

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. Its completion in 1937 came one year […]

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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