How do I care for old paper?

Keep prints away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent fading and paper degradation. Framing should use acid-free materials with a spacer to ensure the paper does not touch the glass directly. Environmental stability protects the delicate rag paper and ink lines from breaking down over time. Regular inspection helps catch any signs of moisture or insect activity early.

Are these prints original to the period?

Most pieces originate from the specific century indicated, produced from contemporary copper plates. Publishers often issued maps and portrait series in bound atlases or individual sheets during the era. Examining the paper type, watermark, and ink characteristics helps verify the period of production. Later restrikes from worn plates generally show softer lines and different paper stocks.

Why are some maps coloured?

Colouring was frequently added by hand using water-based pigments either at the time of publication or later by collectors. Contemporary tinting enhances the decorative appeal of cartography without altering the underlying printed lines. Pigment analysis can sometimes distinguish original workshop colouring from later embellishments added in subsequent centuries. Both variants offer distinct visual qualities for display.

How were these prints used originally?

Portraits and historical scenes were collected in bound volumes, framed for domestic display, or pasted into scrapbooks by literate households. Atlas maps served practical navigational or administrative purposes as well as scholarly study. Their widespread circulation helped spread artistic styles and geographical knowledge across Europe. Surviving examples reflect this dual role as decorative objects and functional records.

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17th Century Engraving

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A 17th century engraving records the skill of early printmakers, offering buyers a genuine window into historical portraiture, classical antiquity, and cartography.