How should I hang framed maps?

Protect antique paper maps from direct sunlight to prevent the ink and hand-applied watercolours from fading over time. Keep them away from damp walls and fluctuating temperatures that might warp the wood frames and damage the paper. Use professional framing techniques with acid-free backing materials to support the sheet safely within the glass. Secure the frame firmly to wall studs using appropriate fixings to ensure the weight is supported.

How do I identify a 17th-century map?

Examine the paper quality, typography and Latin text conventions typical of early print shops. Seventeenth-century maps often feature heavy laid paper with visible watermarks when held to the light. Look at the decorative cartouches and regional spellings, which differ noticeably from later Georgian and Victorian editions. Cartographers from this era, such as Dutch and English masters, included distinct ornamentation around the borders.

What is the difference between terrestrial and celestial globes?

Terrestrial globes depict the surface of the Earth, including countries, oceans, historical boundaries and exploratory routes. They serve as three-dimensional maps of the physical world as understood during their specific decade of manufacture. Celestial globes map the stars, constellations and astronomical coordinates visible in the night sky. They use a spherical coordinate system designed to mirror the celestial sphere rather than terrestrial geography.