Title: Map of Alexandria Artist: Georg Braun (German, 1541–1622) Artist: Frans Hogenberg (Netherlandish, 1540–1590) Date: 1575 Medium: Etching, hand colored Dimensions: Sheet: 15 3/8 in. × 20 in. (39.1 × 50.8 cm)

Online Antique Map Valuations

Welcome to iValuations' dedicated online antique map appraisal hub. Our international specialists combine decades of market expertise to provide accurate, expert valuations for your historic cartography, charts, and atlases from photographs.

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http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/188957

Silver plated spoon holder by Hukin & Heath, circa 1880, attributed to Christopher Dresser (Scottish, 1834–1904).

The Brook, c. 1895–1900. Paul Cezanne (French, 1839–1906). Oil on fabric; framed: 74.9 x 97.2 x 8.3 cm (29 1/2 x 38 1/4 x 3 1/4 in.); unframed: 59.2 x 81 cm (23 5/16 x 31 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Leonard C. Hanna Jr., 1958.20

Chinese Jar with Lion-Head Handles (青花雙獅頭罐), 1300s, Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen, Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)

Musical bracket clock by Eardley Norton, circa 1790

Online valuations in over 50 categories of fine art, antiques & collectibles, with dedicated specialists in each field

What Is Your Antique Map Worth?

The monetary value of an antique map relies on a complex intersection of historical significance, scarcity, and physical condition. While a map's decorative aesthetic is undeniable, serious collectors, dealers, and institutions look far beyond surface appeal. One must identify the exact printing plate variations, the specific edition or state of the publication, and whether the hand-colouring is contemporary to the map's production or a modern addition.

An accurate appraisal must also take into account the distinct printing technologies of different eras. Discovering whether you possess an early 16th-century woodcut, a rare Dutch Golden Age copperplate engraving from master cartographers like Blaeu or Hondius, or a sought after 19th century lithographic regional chart requires specialist expertise. Our appraisers meticulously cross reference these, and other, cartographic nuances with auction records, global dealer networks, and our deep institutional knowledge to establish a definitive valuation.

Physical preservation plays an equally vital role in the final assessment. Factors such as original margins, centrefold condition, backing materials, and the presence of any defining watermarks can significantly alter an item's desirability and worth. We analyse all of these physical attributes alongside current market trends to deliver fast and accurate valuation certificates for insurance, fair market, or potential sale.

How to Submit Your Antique Map for Valuation

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1. Take Clear Photographs:

Provide good resolution, well lit photos. For this category, we specifically require a clear shot of the entire item, the entire back, and crisp close-ups of any folds, damage, cartouches, monograms, maker's marks, or labels.]

2. Gather Item Details:

Note down the physical dimensions (height and width), excluding the frame/mount), and any known provenance, history, or paperwork.

3. Complete the Online Form:

Click the START VALUATION button for the valuation form, select Book or Object from the dropdown menu, and then fill in the item details, upload your images, fill in your details, and securely submit your request.

4. Receive a Valuation Report:

A professional written PDF valuation report will be emailed to you within 24-48 hours, detailing your item with a written descriptive, a fair market value and an insurance value.

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What Our Specialist Looks For When Valuing Antique Maps

Cartographer: Is the map signed, monogrammed, or attributed to a renowned cartographer, engraver, or publishing house? The presence of a prominent name in the cartouche, such as Blaeu, Ortelius, Mercator, or Hondius, can elevate an item's historical importance and market profile.

Printing Technique: Is the map a 16th century woodcut, a crisp copperplate engraving, an aquatint, or a later lithographic print? Identifying the exact method of production is fundamental to dating the piece and assessing its craftsmanship. We closely examine the impression lines, the texture of the paper, and whether the colouring is contemporary to the map's original publication era or a later addition applied to increase decorative appeal.

Size: What are the dimensions of the sheet, and how does its scale impact its presence.

Condition: Are there visible signs of foxing, uniform toning, tears along the centrefold, or historic damp damage? Because antique maps were frequently handled, folded into atlases, or exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions, their physical state significantly impacts final value. Our valuation looks past superficial wear to identify structural integrity, checking for original margins, page trimming, and past restorative work.

Subject Matter: Is the map a depiction of a highly sought after region, an early celestial chart, or a document detailing a specific geopolitical boundary shift? Maps showcasing early colonial exploration, missing coastlines, or iconic mythical sea monsters often command a premium due to their historical romance and scarcity.

Provenance: Does the map possess an any established lineage, ownership stamps, or an intriguing backstory that connects it to a specific historical archive, library, or private collection?

Frequently Asked Questions About Antique Map Valuations

How does contemporary hand-colouring differ from modern colouring, and how does it affect value?

Answer: Contemporary colouring means the map was hand-coloured at or near the time of its publication. This adds significant historical value. Modern colouring refers to an originally uncoloured black and white map that has been painted much later to make it more decorative. While modern colouring can enhance it, serious collectors heavily prefer original, contemporary colouring, which commands a significantly higher market premium.

What is a map state or edition, and why does it matter for a valuation?

Answer: A state refers to a specific version of a map printed from a plate before changes or updates were engraved onto that same plate. Cartographers frequently updated plates to add newly discovered coastlines, changed political boundaries, or alter decorative elements. An early, unrecorded first state or a historically critical later state can be worth much more than a standard edition. Our specialists closely examine the plate details to identify the exact state of your map.

What happens if an antique map has been glued down onto a backing board for framing?

Answer: Antique maps that have been glued down onto cardboard, hardboard, or non-archival backing paper is one of the most commonly encountered issues affecting value. Permanent mounting violates the core conservation principle of reversibility, making safe removal difficult and risky. Over time, non-archival glues and acidic boards leach harmful compounds into the delicate, handmade paper, causing chemical burns, staining, stress tears, and crumbling as the map is prevented from naturally expanding and contracting with humidity. Furthermore, this process permanently hides the reverse side of the sheet, obscuring critical publisher text, historic text, or defining watermarks that are vital for establishing authenticity and provenance. When evaluating a mounted map, we must factor the severity of this damage and the potential cost of professional paper conservation into the final valuation.

Ready to Discover the Value of your Antique Map?

Expert written valuations with pricing tailored to the size of your collection.

In addition to purchasing a single valuation we also offer a system of allowing you to buy valuations in batches. This affords you a discounted rate, meaning the more valuations you buy the less you pay for an individual valuation.

After purchasing a valuation pack you will be emailed a code with which you can redeem your valuations at your convenience.

For more information on how iValuations works, please see our FAQ page.