How do I care for antique paper prints?

Keep framed engravings away from direct sunlight to prevent the watercolour pigments from fading over time. Maintain stable indoor humidity levels to protect the historic paper from warping or foxing. Ensure the framing utilises acid-free backing materials to safeguard the paper margins. Professional framing with UV-filtering glass offers the best protection for sustained display.

Are these prints hand coloured originally?

Many examples feature period hand colouring applied shortly after the initial printing process in the seventeenth, eighteenth, or nineteenth century. Artisans used delicate watercolours to enhance botanical, zoological, and cartographic details. Close inspection under magnification reveals the subtle brushwork characteristic of historic pigment application. This distinguishes period colouring from later modern enhancements.

What periods do these engravings cover?

The selection spans from pre-sixteenth century cartography through the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, extending into the Victorian era. Georgian and seventeenth-century Dutch atlas maps form a substantial portion of the available range. Each period exhibits distinct stylistic traits in typography, plate margins, and cartographic ornamentation. Dating is typically supported by publisher attributions and publication records.

How are antique maps usually mounted?

Antique map engravings are commonly presented behind glass within wood, gilt wood, or burr wood frames. Window mounts or sinking mounts help keep the paper away from direct contact with the glass. Visible margins and Latin text on the reverse often remain preserved within the framing structure. Original folds from bound atlases frequently appear across the centre of larger map sheets.

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Coloured Copperplate Engraving

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These coloured copperplate engraving pieces bring period cartography, natural history, and portraiture onto the wall through centuries-old printed paper.