Antique map collecting is a very popular and potentially profitable pass time. Individuals engaged in antique map collecting are usually the ones who have an interest in history geography, cartography and art. Collecting antique maps is similar to collecting every other antique.
You should know a few things bout what you are collecting before you buy your antique maps. Keep in mind that there are many kinds of antique maps. Some are worth than others. Before you proceed on creating your antique map collection you should start by learning a few things about collecting maps in general. Antique map collectors usually have two approaches on collecting maps. One approach is to pick a country and collect all the best pieces of that country by following the different changes in that regions history.
In the end the collection will itself map out that regions history. The changes in borders, changes in names, and the whole collection, could be worth much more than just adding all the map values together. The second approach to collecting antique maps is to focus on a time period rather than a region. The collector that does so will acquire as many antique maps from different regions that all belong to a specific time period; in the end, and if done properly and carefully, the collection will reflect the exact state of affairs at a particular time period.
Before you start buying antique maps, left right and centre you should first develop a plan of action. First you need to budget, in other words decide how much money you will spend on antique map collecting. Once you have a budget and made up your mind on whether you will focus on a particular region, or time period, you need to start searching.
Start shopping around for the right antique maps that fit in your plan. Keep in mind that for an object to be considered an antique it should be over 100 years old; if its not then it belongs to the vintage category. Nevertheless, you can find antique maps for less than two hundred dollars. Older maps are usually valued at higher prices.
If you do your research you will be able to find. There are however, maps from the 16th and 17th centuries that can be bought for under $250. The value of antique maps is primarily reliant on supply and demand.
Maps of Africa, India, Russia, and South America as well as other less popular regions, can be very affordable and good investments for the future. On the other hand, maps of the United States and Europe can be much more expensive. The best advice, for any beginner who wants to enter in the antique map market, is to research.
Visit antique stores, visit online antique listings see what people are biding on and keep track of the maps valuations. Down the line, if you see something you like, don't hesitate to buy it. Usually, antique maps can be found in two forms, either bound in a book or atlas, or as a separate sheet. Be patient and it wont be long until you find the best antique map.
Acquiring the right kind of antique maps for your home can be a difficult decision. First you need to decide which kind and region to start. Start by getting antique world maps
