How to Buy Antique Maps of London

 

London and Envirions by William Schmollenger for Thomas Moule, steelplate line engraving, hand coloured  c. 1837

Here's a quick guide to help find a genuine antique map of the city of London.  What to look for, where to buy and of what to be cautious.

• Look for plate marks:  These are indentation marks on the paper caused by the plate on which the map was engraved, copper up to 1820, generally close to the image, then increasingly mild steel with plate marks further from the image.
• Lithographs: These are not produced on a metal plate and therefore have no plate mark. They have a soft, tonal quality similar to pencil.  From c.1860 colour prints were produced and called chromolithographs.  Lithographs can also be hand coloured if printed in black on white.  Here is a useful video illustrating a lithographed, Victorian map of London.
• Paper:  Up to c. 1780 paper was 'laid', which means it has feint horizontal and occasional vertical indentations.  After this date, paper was more commonly produced mechanically and there is an absence of marks.  View a video here which helps with identification of paper and plate marks: Genuine antique John Speed maps
• Coloring:  Before c.1860, when mechanical printing techniques called chromolithographs became more common (See John Speed video above), all colouring was by hand and in watercolour.  Any colouring before this date denotes a modern reproduction.
• Reputable dealers: Seek out map dealers who have a proven track record and have been trading for some time.  They should be happy to supply a cerificate of authenticity, indicating date and type of colouring.  Beware map sellers who use the term 'unique' or 'vintage', these are often modern reproductions which have no intrinsic value. Caution, modern prints can also be hand coloured and some map sellers ask very high prices for these worthless reproductions, price is not a reliable indication of antiquity.  Online auction sites are often littered with reproductions and fakes. View our extensive selection of  genuine antique maps of London here