Collecting Old Maps

Francis J Manasek, Collecting Old Maps, New York: Clarkson Potter / Publishers, 1998

Illustrated throughout with colour and black-and-white reproductions; original publisher’s boards with illustrated dust jacket.
9.45 x 6.30 in (24 × 16 cm)

A Standard Reference on the History and Connoisseurship of Early Maps

A standard modern reference work on the history, connoisseurship, and market realities of early cartography, Collecting Old Maps by Francis J. Manasek remains one of the most widely recommended and frequently consulted introductions to the field. Long regarded by collectors and specialists as a “must-have” volume, it is often cited by reviewers as among the single most valuable practical books available for any serious cartographic library.

Written by a prominent American rare map and book dealer and former medical researcher, Manasek brings decades of firsthand market experience to the subject. Having operated specialist galleries in Hanover, New Hampshire, and London, and now managing G.B. Manasek, Inc. from Norwich, Vermont, he offers guidance grounded equally in scholarship and the everyday realities of collecting.

The book provides a structured overview of mapmaking from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century, addressing major traditions such as Ptolemaic geography, portolan charts, early atlas production, national mapping schools, and the development of thematic cartography. Particular emphasis is placed on the physical and technical characteristics of maps — engraving methods (from woodcut to copperplate), paper, vellum, watermarks, hand-colouring, and states — equipping readers to assess authenticity, condition, and relative scarcity.

Unlike many works that function primarily as illustrated catalogues, Manasek’s volume is especially valued for its practical focus. It addresses essential collector concerns: how to read catalogue descriptions, identify restrikes or facsimiles, judge condition, understand pricing structures, and navigate buying and selling within the antiquarian market. Detailed sections also cover map care, treatment, and repair.

A notable feature is the illustrated survey of 130 maps dating from 1482 to 1945, demonstrating the extraordinary range of material available to collectors. The appendices further enhance its utility, offering clarifications of technical and non-English terminology, discussions of paper and vellum chemistry, conversion of Roman numerals, and a guide to further reference resources and mapmakers.

Clear, engaging, and richly illustrated throughout, Collecting Old Maps has become an enduring cornerstone for beginners seeking confidence in the market as well as for experienced collectors, librarians, and auction professionals. Its lasting relevance lies in its balanced synthesis of historical scholarship, connoisseurship, and pragmatic market insight.

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