Came across a good article yesterday highlighting one of the more interesting and unique map collections in the USA. The Osher Map Library (and by extension Smith Cartographic Center & Smith Globe Collection) prioritizes diversity over specialization, contains well over 30,000 pieces, and is a real treat for those in the New England area. You can see the full article from the Boston Globe here.
The Osher Map Library and Smith Cartographic Center (Maine)
March 8th, 2010Improved photographs of maps
March 6th, 2010Dear all,
Due to popular demand, we have recently upgraded our photography setup for all map listings on the site, enabling much stronger detail and photos that are closer to the true representation of the maps themselves.
CLICK HERE to see some of the newer samples. We will gradually be re-taking photos of the earlier postings, and will be using the new setup for all future listings. As always, thanks to all of our customers worldwide for their comments and suggestions as we make our gradual transition online.
All best,
Jason
Jason Miklian
Owner
Miklian Antiquarian Maps
New Antique Maps – Matthaus Seutter (1740)
March 4th, 2010Just added a nice series of maps derived from Seutter’s Atlas Minor, praecipua Orbis Terrarum Imperia regna et provincias (1740, Augsburg). In addition to a highly attractive world map with original coloring, there is also a North America map with a strong California as an island as well as period (incorrect) interpretations of Japan, Australia and Africa.
Click here to browse all of our Seutter maps!
Georg Matthaus Seutter (1647 – 1756) was one of the most important and prolific German map publishers of the 18th century. Seutter started his career as an apprentice brewer. Apparently uninspired by the beer business, Seutter left his apprenticeship and moved to Nuremberg where he apprenticed as an engraver under the tutelage of the prominent J. B. Homann. Sometime in the early 1700s Seutter left Homann to establish his own independent cartographic publishing firm in Augsburg. Though he struggled in the early years of his independence, Seutter’s engraving skill and commitment to diversified map production eventually gained him a substantial following. Most of Seutter’s maps were heavily based upon, if not copies of, earlier work done by the Homann and Delisle firms. By 1732 Seutter was one of the most prolific publishers of his time and was honored by the German Emperor Karl VI with the title of “Imperial Geographer”. Suetter continued to publish until his death, at the height of his career, in 1757. The Seutter firm sadly fell into the hands of Seutter’s wastrel son Albrecht Carl Seutter who did little to advance the firm until in own death in 1762. Following Albrecht’s death, the firm was divided between the established Probst firm and the emerging firm of Tobias Conrad Lotter. Lotter, Matthaus Seutter’s son in law, was a master engraver and worked tirelessly on behalf of the Seutter firm. It is Lotter, who would eventually become one of the most prominent cartographers of his day, and his descendents, who are generally regarded as the true successors to Matthaus Seutter. (Ritter, M. Seutter, Probst and Lotter: An Eighteenth-Century Map Publishing House in Germany., “Imago Mundi”, Vol. 53, (2001), pp. 130-135. (via Geographicus)
Antique Map Collection Wins Ignominious Honor
January 11th, 2010The impressive collection of antique maps of the Southwestern United States previously belonging to Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon garnered some headlines this month for all of the wrong reasons. The $12.1 million sale (for over $8 million in profit) of the collection from McClendon to his company was afforded only a footnote in the company’s financial statement, winning the ‘worst footnote of the year’ award. Here’s is Chesapeake’s less-than-revealing explanation for the purchase. And check out Chesapeake’s official declaration of additional information here after the headlines from the sale generated more than a few questions. Still not an itemized list, unfortunately. Also lost in the uproar was the fact that the map purchase will probably go down as the best asset Chesapeake bought in the last decade. Time will tell..
More Strange Maps with Nonexistent Features
January 8th, 2010Continuing the theme of map errors and oddities, Chris Lane at Antiue Prints Blog has listed a few of the more interesting (and egregious) errors of USA maps from the 17th century. The selection includes missing coastlines, phantom lakes, and mountain ranges that only exist in the mapmakers mind. We’ll have a few similar maps available for sale in February 2010 – watch this space.
A Brief History of Strange Maps
December 8th, 2009Slate magazine had an interesting slide show article this week illustrating some of the more unique and creative interpretations that have come about in the world of cartography. Examples from both the antique and modern mapmaking world are highlighted, and are quite fun to see.
Interested in a similar unique map of your own? We currently have in stock one of the last maps in the world that depicted California as an island – click here to see our Yoshimoto map from 1834.
Telling an Original Antique Map from a Reproduction
November 6th, 2009The always high-quality Antique Prints Blog has a useful new post up with information on how to distinguish between an original and reproduction antique map, with basic information on printing processes and paper. In addition, many other tell-tale signs of period pieces, such as chain link plate marks, period yellowing, and texture also come into account. This brief article by the International Map Collectors Society also has some good tips on distinguishing authentic maps from fakes. As always, when in doubt, it is best to ask an expert, and if a price is ‘too good to be true’, it’s probably that way for a reason. For more information, feel free to contact us or add your own links in the comments section.
Exhibition – Modern Interpretations of Korean Antique Maps
October 29th, 2009An interesting upcoming event for those in the UK. From November 2 – 20 at Nottingham Trent University, five South Korean artists will exhibit modern interpretations of 17th to 19th century Korean antique maps, donated by the National Library of Korea. click here for more information and a sample of the artwork.
Antique Maps by MM Drioux and CH Leroy (1885)
October 27th, 2009We have just added over 50 maps from French mapmakers MM Drioux and CH Leroy. Many interesting maps from the later-19th century, including several maps of Europe from the ancient, middle ages and revolutionary period. Also an interesting hypsometric map of France and other physical maps. Click here to view our in stock selection of Leroy antique maps.
New Antique Maps – A.H. Dufour (1854)
October 24th, 2009We have just added over 70 maps from AH Dufour. Many interesting maps from this mid-19th century collection, including several unique maps of ethnic regions of Europe, single maps of Tibet (Thibet), Madagascar, Tuscany, Finland, Turkestan, Senegal, and the Boer colonies. Click here to view our in stock selection of Dufour antique maps.