FAQs

Yes, with the exception of reference books, all of the items we offer for sale are original antique books, maps or prints published at least 100 years ago.

No.

Yes, of course! We buy individual books, maps, atlases, and prints. We are also interested in globes and topographical drawings. We offer extremely competitive prices and pay promptly. We can pay in pounds, US dollars or euro, and, for higher value items, arrange collection anywhere in the world. We will not pay for books, maps or prints until we have examined them. If you wish to offer something to us for sale, please email us.

Yes, each item is fully described and carries our unconditional guarantee.

Yes. Please ask for one when placing an order.

Yes. For gallery hours, address and directions, please see at the bottom of the page.

Yes. We are happy to offer free valuation of books, maps and prints that are brought to our shop during our regular business hours. We regret that we are not prepared to provide valuations by email.

For larger collections and written appraisals, we offer a formal appraisal service for £120 per hour, with a one-hour minimum. This will include a written valuation and a formal qualifications letter, which can be used for insurance, tax and estate purposes.

Yes.

We pack and ship in-house or via Mail Boxes Etc. or, for specialist packing or high value items, Art Logistics.

Books are sent wrapped in acid-free tissue, recycled bubble-wrap, and purpose-built recycled cardboard boxes. Maps and prints may be sent either flat, in bespoke packages, or in thick recycled cardboard tubes. If you have a packaging preference, please specify your choice at the time of shipping.

• US, UK and Europe: overnight
• Africa: 2 business days +
• Asia: 2-3 business days
• Australia: 3-5 business days

Sending via Art Logistics, please contact us for an estimated delivery time.

Yes. All items we sell are shipped 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, visit our Terms & Conditions page.

If you are not satisfied with a purchase for any reason, you may return the item within 7 days of receipt for a full refund (or purchase credit, if you prefer). For a complete description of our return policy, visit our Terms & Conditions page.

We recommend the following general guidelines: Mounting: Use archival, acid-free material only. The artwork should be tipped-in, or hinged, to the mat using a reversible archival tape or similar system. A map should never be glued, heat-mounted, pressure-mounted or taped flat to the backing board. Framing: We recommend glass or Plexiglas coated to protect against Ultra-Violet light.

Yes. We are happy to arrange bespoke book-binding, hand-made picture frames, and specialist conservation work for works of art on paper. We have good relationships with several local craftsmen and we are more than happy to discuss your requirements and make recommendations as to the most appropriate course of action for your work of art.

Many antique maps/books/prints include the date of publication, either in the title or where publication information is included. These dates often refer to the first year the book, map or print was offered for sale or the year the right to print the book, map or print was obtained. Such dates are not entirely reliable. Many books, maps and prints were issued for more than one year without changes. For these items, we need to look at the content of the item or other clues for more accurate dating. The dates we list are usually accurate to within 10 years. We make best efforts to use our available reference tools to accurately date each item we offer for sale. If you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Most maps and prints printed prior to 1870 were printed without colour, using black ink. However, many publishers added colour (typically watercolour, but occasionally gouache) shortly after printing and before the maps or prints were bound or mounted on linen for sale. Learn more here.

Value is a function of the desirability of subject matter, historical importance, condition, beauty, age, size and rarity. While there is no set formula, each of these factors plays a role in valuation. Printed material, almost by definition, was produced in some quantity. In all but a few instances, any given printed item will have been offered for sale more than once over the years, meaning that there is the ability to evaluate prior sales as an indicator of value. In most instances, there are recent sales and current offerings which a dealer or collector can look to in order to provide guidance on valuation. We have an extensive database of historical pricing information relating to rare maps, atlases and books, as well as auction & dealer catalogue records, going back over 100 years.

If you have just commenced on the exciting path of collecting rare maps, atlases and books, or even if you are only relatively new to cartographic collecting, we have written a guide that we hope will be of use – click here to read our guide to collecting rare maps, atlases and books, or contact us with any more specific enquiries.

Wearing cotton gloves to hold or turn the pages of a book or manuscript actually reduces manual dexterity, and increases the likelihood of causing damage. See more here.