| There is something inherently intriguing about | | | | However, the greater majority of us simply want |
| ancient maps. As a child, most of us have played | | | | to buy a print of an old map to hang on a wall. |
| games where we have imagined that we had | | | | We do not want a map because of its financial |
| found a map giving the location of hidden treasure. | | | | value but more because of its personal value. This |
| If only it were true! This may be one of the | | | | type of print is far more easily obtainable and |
| reasons that many people have a fascination for | | | | certainly more affordable. The most popular types |
| antique maps. The physical characteristics of the | | | | of prints are those of maps relating to a city, |
| world may not have changed remarkably since | | | | county or state that family ancestors originated |
| map making began, but the political aspects most | | | | from. These can usually be found relatively easily |
| certainly have. Imagine being in possession of a | | | | and are on sale for a reasonable price. Of course, |
| pre-Columbus map that did not show the | | | | the paper is not going to be ancient parchment or |
| Americas correctly, now that would be a truly | | | | manuscript, but placed in a good frame, they will |
| priceless antique. The technology involved in | | | | certainly make conversation pieces at your next |
| mapmaking is constantly improving but there is still | | | | dinner party. |
| a desire to own some of the earliest examples of | | | | Auctions, both online and offline are fast becoming |
| cartography. | | | | the most popular place to find prints of specific |
| Unfortunately, just as there are millions of people | | | | maps. You may also find that there are antique |
| who yearn to own a genuine antique map of | | | | maps for sale if the owner has not sought advice |
| Columbus's expeditions or of the early | | | | on its genuine value, but that is becoming less |
| astronomers' guides to the stars there are just | | | | common. In summary, you need to decide what |
| as many, if not more, people out to pass off a | | | | price you are prepared to pay for a map, |
| modern map as a genuine artifact. You do need | | | | whether it is an original or a print. There is nearly |
| to be extremely careful about researching the | | | | always an option available to suit any budget to |
| authenticity and provenance of these allegedly | | | | enable you to have an interesting piece of history |
| antique maps. This is undoubtedly the case if you | | | | on your wall. By far the best starting point for a |
| want to purchase one of the more rare examples | | | | new collector is to buy prints of maps, whether |
| of cartography. This can only be achieved by | | | | regional, global or astral. These can be bought |
| hiring experts in the particular era that the map | | | | from numerous outlets. Be warned, once you |
| relates to. Many of the earliest maps were drawn | | | | have begun collecting these fascinating pieces of |
| on parchment that requires particular care and | | | | history, you may find it difficult to stop. The only |
| conditions to prevent it from being destroyed. | | | | limit to the size and content of your potential |
| Only national museums are lucky enough to house | | | | collection is the amount of money that you are |
| such treasures. | | | | prepared to spend! |