Antique Cartographic Engraving
These antique cartographic engraving pieces are printed maps on paper framed in wood and glass, offering a direct view into past centuries of geography and design.
Antique Cartographic Engraving
An antique cartographic engraving represents a printed map produced from an engraved plate onto paper, often presented as framed wall art. When exploring this selection, buyers encounter regional maps, country maps, and town views originating from various European and global territories.
The pieces appearing on this page span several historical periods, most notably the seventeenth century, the Georgian era, and the Victorian epoch. English, French, Dutch, and Italian cartography feature prominently among the available origins, reflecting centuries of surveying and publishing traditions.
Makers and publishers represented in the inventory include notable figures such as Thomas Jefferys, Joan Blaeu, Robert Morden, Thomas Kitchin, Christopher Saxton, and Emanuel Bowen. These works take the form of individual county maps, atlas plates, and detailed regional surveys housed behind glass in wood or gilt wood frames.
Materials and production methods
The primary material foundation of an antique cartographic engraving is paper, onto which lines and text are transferred using printing ink. Many examples incorporate hand-colouring applied over the printed ink lines to delineate borders, regions, and decorative cartouches.
Framing materials protect these fragile paper works, utilising wood, burr wood, and gilt wood alongside glass covers. The combination of paper, ink, and gold leaf on select frames completes the physical construction seen across the pieces.
Early cartographers filled unexplored territories with elaborate sea monsters and sailing ships to keep wandering eyes entertained.
Distinctions in quality
Quality in an antique cartographic engraving depends heavily on the clarity of the printed line and the precision of the plate impression. Crisp details in the topography, lettering, and decorative cartouches separate superior impressions from worn or indistinct printings.
The sophistication of the framing and the preservation of the paper substrate further influence the overall standard of the piece. Intact margins, stable paper condition, and quality framing materials elevate the standing of a map.
Thomas Jefferys·Joan Blaeu·Robert Morden·Thomas Kitchin·Christopher Saxton·Emanuel Bowen·JAS WYLD
The Antique Cartographic Engraving Glossary
- Engraving
- A printmaking technique where an artist cuts lines directly into a metal plate using a sharp tool called a burin. The resulting incisions hold the printing ink that transfers to paper under pressure.
- Cartography
- The study and practice of making maps, combining scientific measurement with artistic illustration. In antique pieces, this discipline manifests through detailed geographical representations and ornamental borders.
- Cartouche
- A decorative frame or tablet enclosing the title, scale, or publisher information on a map. These artistic elements often feature heraldry, figures, or botanical motifs.
- Atlas
- A bound collection of maps published together in a volume. Many individual map sheets originate from dismantled atlases of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Antique Cartographic Engraving: Frequently Asked Questions
How are antique maps dated?
Dating relies on internal evidence such as the cartographer's name, historical place names, and publication dates recorded in the margins or cartouches. Reference works and comparison with known atlas editions help narrow the production period.
Changes in political boundaries and regional nomenclature provide further clues to establish the approximate year or decade of printing.
Can these maps be hung in direct sunlight?
Direct sunlight causes paper and printing ink to fade rapidly over time, permanently damaging the delicate details of an engraving. Protecting them with UV-filtering glass and placing them away from bright windows ensures longevity.
Stable indoor humidity and indirect light preserve both the paper substrate and any hand-applied watercolours.
What is the difference between a county map and a regional map?
County maps focus specifically on local administrative divisions within a country, such as Cheshire, Essex, or Surrey, showing parishes and local towns. Regional maps cover broader territories, including entire countries or overseas regions like New Netherlands or the Caribbean.
Both types share the same engraving techniques but offer different scales of geographical detail.
Are all antique maps hand coloured?
Not all examples feature colour; many seventeenth and eighteenth-century impressions were issued strictly in black printing ink on paper. When colour is present, it was typically applied by hand using watercolours shortly after printing.
The presence and style of hand-colouring vary considerably from one map to another.