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What to examine when buying old and rare maps & prints?

Examine the map or print front and back, and look for signs, flaws, and repairs. A small repair of the lower part of the center fold is common for maps; other repairs affect the value. Paulus Swaen carefully describes repairs in the condition report. Our HiBCoR grading system takes them into account.

Feel the paper: is it sturdy or soft? Smell the paper to detect residual signs of bleaching. Bleaching makes the paper soft and gives it an unnatural white color.

Check carefully for facsimile repairs. Missing areas can be filled in with a manuscript facsimile. Use strong raking light and backlighting to reveal repairs and facsimiles. Facsimile areas usually have a different pigment type and no aging.
Professional examiners also rely on UV light, fiber microscopy, and watermark analysis to distinguish original printing from later additions.

When making an online purchase, always ask for or carefully examine high-resolution images rather than relying on low-resolution web images or thumbnail illustrations in catalogs. 

Finally, ask for a certificate of authenticity and inquire about the return and refund policy.
The maps offered at Paulus Swaen are generally in very good condition. We provide a certificate of authenticity. We have been in the map trade for 48 years.



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