Frequently Asked Questions
General Question about our shop
Can I come visit your shop?
Our shop is located in the historic town center of Regensburg in Bavaria, Germany. Regensburg is beautifully city having the Danube going right through it. We are open Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Come by if you are in the area and we happy to only show you our extensive collection, but also give you some insider tips about the area.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the following payment methods:
- Bank transfer
- Cheque (EUR, US $, GBP)
- Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- PayPal
How often do you update the articles on your website?
We are always keeping our website up to date. We update the inventory with new stock on a regular basis. Check the listings for latest arrivals to discover new special items. Once an item is sold it will be removed from the shop. However, you will still be able to find it in our archive. If you are interested in one of our already sold items please let us know. It often happens that we come across some maps various times.
Do you ship to all parts of the World?
Yes, so far we have shipped in more than 66 different countries since the launch of our online shop. We can ship anywhere in within a maximum of 2 business days.
How are antique maps shipped?
We always make sure that our precious goods are packed and wrapped perfectly secure to ensure that they arrive safely. We do ship the antique maps either in custom-made telescope roles or in flat packages. If you do have preference do not hesitate us to let us know.
Will my package be insured?
All shipments are fully insured for the purchase price of the item. If an item does not arrive, you will receive a full refund. If a package arrives damaged, you will receive a full refund upon return of the item in question. For a complete description of our return policy please see our return policy.
What is your return policy if I am not satisfied with my purchase?
If in any case you are not happy with your purchase you may return it within 14 days. For a complete description please see our return policy.
Would it be possible to receive my purchase framed?
We do offer an excellent framing service. For a variety of color and material choices please contact us and we will send you sample pictures. Especially if your purchase is a gift a framed antique map does look great.
Do you have a gift service? Can you send the package to a different address? And will I be able to include a gift card?
Lots of our orders are sent as gifts. We are more than happy to make your present even more special by including a greeting card with a handwritten note of your choice. Furthermore, we will send the package to any delivery address provided in the order. Please let us know any wishes and instructions in our comment box with your order.
Do you also buy maps or antique books?
We are always happy to buy special antique maps or books. The best way to evaluate your item would be to send us an e-mail to [email protected] with all the information you have an preferably some pictures.
Specific Questions about antique maps, books and atlases
What is classified as an antique map
Antique Maps are in maps that have been printed or drawn more than 100 years ago. Antique maps often reflect historical phenomena and events and that show the interdependence of social developments of the past and geographic factors. Normally they are printed on paper, either from an engraved woodblock, copperplate or steelplate, or later, by lithography.
Are all your maps really antique maps?
All the antique maps we have on stock are original antique maps. Sometimes we do sell special maps that have been published less than 100 years ago. However these maps then are of special value for our clients.
Do you offer a Certificate of Authenticity?
We offer a Certificate of Authenticity with every sale we make. If you buy online your Certificate of Authenticity for your purchase will be sent to you automatically. If you purchase from us on one the map fairs we exhibit or directly in our shop we will also provide you a Certificate of Authenticity with your purchase?
How can you tell the difference between a genuine antique map and a reproduction?
There are some main characteristics that help you divide original antique maps form reproductions. One would be the size, as a reproduction will always be a little larger or smaller than the original map size. Furthermore the paper is a very important part to differentiate a reproduction from an original. Modern paper will differ from real antique paper. You can feel and see the difference, especially from the aging process of the paper. You will also miss specific features like e.g. watermarks or chain lines on reproduced maps. Another important feature is the color. Original maps are always hand colored, whereas new maps will have the color entirely printed.
Do you sell reproduced maps?
Being an antiquarian map dealer for more than 30 years we have always made sure to only sell authentic high quality maps. Therefore we do not sell reproductions. We only sell real antique maps and atlases.
How is the issue date of an antique map or antiquarian book determined?
Most of the maps, atlases and books we sell include a publication date. The date can often be found in the title or description part of the antique map. However the dates printed or drawn on the map, mostly refer to the first year the map was published. Therefore we always cross check with what is on the antique map to make sure we have the right date with our reference tools.
Are all antique maps in good condition?
As an antiquarian map dealer it would a pleasure to only buy and sell antique maps and books in perfect condition. However, due to the nature of some of our oldest items being several hundreds of years old there are antique maps with minor to severe damages. Sometimes this can only be use marks on the corners, but sometimes it also can be big cuts or stains on the antique maps. We have a condition description on every single item in our inventory. If you have specific questions about the condition please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
Who sets the price for an antique map?
The price and value of an antique book, a rare map or modern prints is not only determined by demand, but also of a variety of other factors. Which are for example:
- Rarity: Some maps are very rare and have only been issued in small numbers. Therefore the rarity can have an impact on the value
- Region: Some regions are more popular for collectors than others. Due to this the demand for specific areas is higher and therefore it will increase the value.
- Condition
- Size: Naturally larger maps are usually more valuable as they leave more space for details and added information. However, the fact of a map being very large maps can also reduce the value.
- Historical importance: Not only are maps that show countries right before or after a historic event more valuable, but also maps showing exploration of a new country.
- Age: this mostly matters for the value if similar maps are of different age. The older one will then be more valuable.
- Decorative aspect: maps that have decorative drawings, e.g. ships, on them can be of a higher value.
- Color: the coloring can have an effect if two similar maps are e.g. original colored and not colored.
Do I have to have special storage for my antique map?
Mostly collectors hang their pieces in frames. However, as their collections grows this may not always be possible. Therefore try to store your collection in a well acclimatized. The air should not be too humid and should be on room temperature. You will take best care of your items if you put a protective paper or plastic within each of them in your folders.
What is the difference between original color, old color and modern color?
Before the the 19th Century there was no technology to print colors. Therefore maps being colored before then had to be hand-colored or just printed with black ink.
Original color or old colored means, that the coloring was applied within the time of the original issue date.
Modern or contemporary color on the contrary means that the map was colored by hand later on to beautify the map or make the use of the map easier by coloring borders, cities or specific regions.
Usually maps with original coloring are more valuable than maps without color or contemporary color.
However, some of the later colored maps have been colored by professional colorists and therefore have increased value.