PAULUS SWAEN OLD & RARE MAPS

We specialize in rare maps, atlases, globes, travel posters, master prints, and decorative prints from the 16th to 18th centuries, and we offer antique maps from around the world, produced by renowned cartographers such as Ortelius, Mercator, Blaeu, Janssonius, Hondius, Visscher, and de Wit. The items listed in our BuyNow catalog are available for immediate sale. 
Paulus Swaen was founded by current owner Pierre Joppen. Every sold item has 48 years of primary research behind every attribution and condition description. Each item will receive a certificate of authenticity and we offer a lifetime guarantee on all our items. 
Our map and atlas collection's high standards are world-renowned.


Catalog of old maps and prints

Swaen BuyNow CATALOG

Our BuyNow-catalog offers immediate sale items, and no commission is charged. The catalog includes old maps of the World - America - Asia - Europe - Africa - Medieval Manuscripts - Nuremberg Chronicle - Prints - Posters, atlases, globes, etc.
We update our stock weekly, and our latest additions are conveniently displayed in our "Latest Listings".
Check out our Gallery highlights or our Curated Collection of carefully selected old and rare maps, all graded 8-10 stars in the HiBCoR grading system.

Latest Listings

Latest Listings & Updates

You can always check our latest listings page. It updates daily, so you can see what we’ve recently added. Let's take a look at some rare maps we've recently acquired.
Join our newsletter to be the first to hear about new acquisitions and get exclusive offers.
Feel free to contact us via the contact form, WhatsApp chat, or Social Media.


Highlights

Gallery Highlights

In this highlights section of the BuyNow catalog, we present some personal favorites from our large stock of authentic maps, atlases, prints, globes, posters and Medieval manuscripts.
Items are available immediately, and we charge no commission.

Paris Map Fair

Paris Map Fair, 21 Nov.

Paulus Swaen will exhibit at the 25th Paris Map Fair at Espace Cléry, 21 November, 2026. Please check out some of the highlights we will bring to the fair

My Collection+

My Collection+

Now you can save any of your favorite items from our BuyNow catalog, Latest Listings, or Archive in one place. Build your own Virtual Collection. It is free and you can delete an item at any time. Previously acquired items are automatically added to the My Collection+ list.

mapping of

The Mapping of . . .

We have created some short articles on the mapping of Arabia, Australia, Canada, China, Hungary, the Invasion of Minorca, Japan, Korea, Malta, the Mer de l'Ouest, the Northwest Passage, Poland, Russia, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Ukraine, among other regions.

catalog archive

Archive of sold items

Paulus Swaen maintains an archive of sold items, including images. Most map images are not subject to copyright and can be used freely, as they are in the public domain. These historical prices can help explain how old map prices developed.


Articles about maps

Read our short articles

If you are interested in the backgrounds of antique maps, prints, mapmakers, etc., then you should read our short but informative articles >>>>
Or about posters, old prints, Nuremberg Chronicle, optical prints, medieval manuscripts, etc.



Featured Listings

Constantinople, Plan de ..., et de ses faubourgs d'après Kauffer. . . et Joseph de Hammer avec l'indication des quartiers de la ville (Mahalle) et les changements qui s'y sont opérés depuis les années 1776 et 1786. . .

1836 HELLERT, J.-J. - Constantinople, Plan de ..., et de ses faubourgs d'après Kauffer. . . et Joseph de Hammer avec l'indication des quartiers de la ville (Mahalle) e...

Maker: HELLERT, J.-J.
Date: Paris, 1836

 


Nieuw Aerdsch Pleyn.

1700 ROBIJN, J. / DANCKERTS, C. - A rare world map in an unusual single polar projection

$7500 / ≈ €6671
Maker: ROBIJN, J. / DANCKERTS, C.
Date: Amsterdam, c. 1700

 


[manuscript plan] Siège de Schweidnitz en Silésie fait par les trouppes Imperial es commandées par Mr. le de Nadasti ...

1769 RUEL de BELLISLE, N.Th. - [manuscript plan] Siège de Schweidnitz en Silésie fait par les trouppes Imperial es commandées par Mr. le de Nadasti ...

$2750 / ≈ €2446
Maker: RUEL de BELLISLE, N.Th.
Date: France, 1769

 


Typus Orbis Terrarum.

1601 ORTELIUS, A. - His third and last world map, dated 1587. The earlier border of clouds has been replaced by a more intricate and elegant lattice of strapwork and swag

$8000 / ≈ €7116
Maker: ORTELIUS, A.
Date: Antwerp, 1592/1601

 


The Crimea by James Wyld Geographer to the Queen & H.R.H. Prince Albert.

1855 WYLD, J. - The Crimea by James Wyld Geographer to the Queen & H.R.H. Prince Albert.

$350 / ≈ €311
Maker: WYLD, J.
Date: London, 1855

 


Pas-Kaat vaneen gedeelte van de Aethiopische Zee behelsende de Kusten Zanguebar, Ajan en Abex, en een gedeelte van de Arabische Kust. . .

1753 VAN KEULEN, J. - Pas-Kaat vaneen gedeelte van de Aethiopische Zee behelsende de Kusten Zanguebar, Ajan en Abex, en een gedeelte van de Arabische Kust. . .

$4500 / ≈ €4003
Maker: VAN KEULEN, J.
Date: Amsterdam, 1753

 


Popular Listings

Chinese advertising poster for Red Lion cigarette brand.

1960 ASIATIC LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PRESS - Chinese advertising poster for Red Lion cigarette brand.

$100 / ≈ €89
Maker: ASIATIC LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PRESS
Date: Shanghai, 1950/1960

 


A rare suite of 12 original etchings by Martin van Maele to the famous work by Edmond Haracourt.

1883 VAN MAELE, M. - A rare suite of 12 original etchings by Martin van Maele to the famous work by Edmond Haracourt.

$1500 / ≈ €1334
Maker: VAN MAELE, M.
Date: Nevers, Brussels, 1882,1883

 


Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula.

1680 PITT, M. / SWART, S. / JANSSONIUS VAN WAESBERGHE, J. - Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula.

$6000 / ≈ €5337
Maker: PITT, M. / SWART, S. / JANSSONIUS VAN WAESBERGHE, J.
Date: Oxford, 1680

 


[Anti capitalism Soviet Union propaganda poster]

1974 THE FIGHTING PENCILS - [Anti capitalism Soviet Union propaganda poster]

$100 / ≈ €89
Maker: THE FIGHTING PENCILS
Date: Leningrad, 1974

 



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