FAQ
Do you sell reproductions?
No, all our pieces are genuine. Each piece is an original. We do not have reproductions.
What do you sell?
We have a large selection of original antique maps, art work on paper and antiquarian prints. If there is a subject you can not find on our website do not hesitiate to contact us with your request.
How can we contact you?
Cell phone : +1 505 660 2688 or email info@mapsandart.com
Where can we see your collection in person?
Please visit our show schedule page, where you will find a full listing of our upcoming shows, including directions on how to get to them.
How do I know that these pieces are really as old as you say they are?
We guarantee their authenticity. We have been collecting and dealing in antique maps and art work for over 25 years. We have many satisfied and repeat customers who trust us to find them genuine works of art for their collections. Museum curators regularly add to their collections from our wide selection of art.
How do you determine the value of a piece?
For each new piece that we add to our collection we research recent auctions and the current trends to provide you with an up to date and well valued piece. Other factors that affect value are condition, subject matter and availability.
What condition are your pieces in?
We try to provide the best quality we can. We have provided you with the use of a free magnifying tool on the page of each item for sale. With it you can take a closer look at a piece. We do not specifically mention minor faults such as small tears, mildew or water stains, foxing or folds, as these are to be expected with antiques. Faults that may affect the value of the piece such as a large repair receive a special mention in the item description.
If there is anything written on the back side of the paper we will mention it, otherwise it means that the back side is blank except for the inventory pencil mark or occassional writing from decades past. This is no way devalues the piece.
Often large prints and maps have center folds, also known as printer's crease. Some pieces may have bent corners or minor repairs that will not be visible with the magnifying tool. These will always be minor, however rest assured that in the event that you are unsatisfied with your piece for any reason you are welcome to reurn the piece for a refund of the purchase price (not including shipping) withing 30 days of purchase.
Keep in mind that there can be color variations between different computer screens. Also the tone, contrast and color is often distorted by our digital photography.
Finally, there can be occassional distortion of the image when we are taking pictures of the art, maps and prints.
What do I need to know about old maps?
Antique maps were printed using the techniques available at the time of publication. These techniques include in chronological order: wood cut, copper engraving, etching, steel engraving, lithography, wax engraving, wood engraving and finally offset printing.
Old maps do not always carry a date on them, in which case we give you the actual date or the circa date in the description section of the item.
Sometimes a map has a copyright year or date found in the cartouche or at the bottom of the map. The dates shown on maps usually refer to the year of the engraving or copyright. This is to say that later editions of a map often carry an earlier copyright year. The dates in our description sections are the ones to follow.
Where do you find your maps and art work?
MAPSandART is constantly searching for new pieces to complement our collection. We travel regularly to Europe and throughout the US. We purchase entire collections from individuals, at auction and from professional dealers. We refuse to buy from "irregular" sources that may have stolen goods (a plague in the antique world).
How should I frame my art?
MAPSandART suggests framing using museum quality archival matting which is a better choice than just simple acid free materials.
Ask your framer to use archival back board and 100 % cotton rag mat board. Mat board leaves a space between the paper and the glass, so that condensation will not build up and cause damage.
Your piece of art should be attached to the mat board with archival framing corners or japan paper hinges, using natural wheat paste.
Archival quality glass or plexiglass, which is Archival manufactured to filter out 97 to 99% of ultraviolet rays will protect the colors from fading.
A paper dust cover stretched across the back of the frame stops dust from damaging your piece of art.
Hang your frame where there will be no extremes or sudden changes in temperature, no dampness or excessive humidity and no direct sunlight or bright fluorescent light.
Be careful when cleaning the frame. Always take the frame off the wall and spray glass or plexiglass cleaner onto a clean piece of lint free cloth (old linen napkins are good for this) and then clean the frame and glass, to avoid any cleaning product reaching inside the frame to the piece.
What if I don't like my map or art work?
We are happy to accept returns of any of our pieces within 30 days of purchase. The item must be in it's original packaging and condition. You will receive a full refund of the purchase price if the item was not removed from its protective sleeve. Shipping costs are not refundable.