Currency Exchange
Back to Main Blog

Antique maps of early roads are still in use today. Fortunately they are used more for decoration than for assistance while travelling. They also provide entertainment when we follow the landmarks that were relied on for guidance... 

Posted: 28/11/2024 10:17:05 PM by | with 0 comments


Not only children are inspired by good deeds of feminine fairies, energetic elves and knowledgeable gnomes. Tiny fairy folk, dancing among flowers in fields and forests, will always stimulate imaginations - particularly when fairyland activities are made believable by children's story artists' wonderful illustrations resembling our own activities.

Posted: 19/08/2024 11:33:48 PM by | with 0 comments


The beginning of the 20th century was an exciting time with changing fashions for women. 1920s fashion was elegantly streamlined, but at the same time, the finest Paris couturiers were creating a wide range of beautiful styles to suit anyone who could afford them. Professional fashion artists created elegant situations where these fashions could appropriately be shown to advantage and they were introduced to the public in La Gazette du Bon Ton. Art - Mode et Frivolités (Journal of Good Style. Art - Fashion and Entertainment)

Posted: 28/05/2024 7:42:50 AM by | with 0 comments


One of the finest artists of the Renaissance, Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (1483-1520) designed magnificent frescoes to decorate the Loggia to the Vatican private residence.

Posted: 25/04/2024 4:19:41 AM by | with 0 comments


James Cook (1728-1779) had little formal education. In 1746 his apprenticeship was transferred to John and Henry Walker who ran colliers between Newcastle and London. Cook lived in Whitby with the Walker brothers who encouraged him in his studies of astronomy and navigation. Under their guidance Cook obtained skills that led to his managing the shallow-keeled HMB Endeavour and her crew.

Posted: 1/04/2024 12:00:00 AM by | with 0 comments


Over hundreds of years, intrepid explorers in tiny ships searched across vast oceans for landmasses to extend their country's wealth through trade, or to claim the land for settlement on behalf of their sovereign or ruler. Ships and their crews had minimal technical or scientific support and often inadequate supplies for their hazardous voyages, but their exploration often resulted in 'new' antique maps

Posted: 18/03/2024 9:02:13 PM by | with 0 comments


Having learnt about apothecary uses for herbs while studying medicine, William Rhind investigated other applications of botany, and wrote A History of the Vegetable Kingdom... which was greatly improved by the wonderfully presented illustrations of botanical specimens by Walter Hood Fitch.

Posted: 1/11/2022 12:08:55 PM by | with 0 comments


Antique prints that illustrate children's stories have varied greatly in quality over the years. The pinnacle of fine illustrations in children's story books was without doubt the beginning of the 20th century. 

Posted: 3/01/2022 10:51:53 AM by | with 0 comments


With little education but an interest in solving the problems of the world, Joseph Paxton was reponsible for many outstanding inventions; but the one that brought him most fame was his design of the Crystal Palace in London. For Prince Albert's Great International Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all the Nations of the British Empire, Paxton based his design for the enormous iron-supported glass building on his previous design of a great glasshouse for Chatsworth Estate where he was head gardener for over 30 years.

Posted: 1/09/2021 10:55:22 AM by | with 0 comments


Immerse yourself in the enriching enjoyment of fine antique Italian Classical Design. 
Technology tends to preoccupy us far too much these days - particularly since the corona virus. My escape is focussing on uplifting artwork in a style that never goes out of fashion. I was planning an exhibition of Italian antique maps and prints, but repeated lockdowns interrupt framing, so here are a few to enjoy meanwhile.

Posted: 12/08/2021 11:30:00 AM by | with 0 comments


Botanical Antique Prints are some of the oldest illustrations still in circulation. Despite being pieces of paper they have survived because they have always been appreciated. The idiosyncracies of the earliest herbal antique prints, over 400 years old, have always been particularly coveted.

Posted: 30/11/2020 9:44:59 PM by | with 0 comments


Earliest recordings of Kangaroos were aboriginal cave paintings with natural ochres. Thousands of years after these were drawn Europeans commissioned sailing ships, appointed commanders and planned expeditions - seeking new trading opportunities or places for expanding populations. Naturalists, scientists and artists accompanied each voyage to record and illustrate what they saw.

Posted: 8/09/2020 12:28:44 PM by | with 0 comments


Antique prints of butterflies provide delightful artwork. While butterflies are certainly more important for their function in our ecosystem - increasing pollination of flowers and crops - their vulnerability and relatively short lives increase the necessity of our being able to enjoying illustrations of them. As with all nature, the variety of butterflies is limitless. Antique butterfly illustrations can be delicate and subtle or colourful and striking. Surely everybody love them?

Posted: 28/06/2020 5:16:57 AM by | with 0 comments


In the middle of the eighteenth century classical frescoes were engraved after being discovered during archaeological digs in the Campania region of Italy. Many frescoes had been damaged since the eruption of Mt Vesuvius towards the end of the first century CE. The drawings and subsequent engravings often showed illegible sections of the frescoes without any image, which I think greatly adds to their charm - and to our historic perception of the images. The engravings are an amazing record of life thousands of years ago.

Posted: 27/05/2020 8:32:08 AM by | with 0 comments


J.G. Keulemans was unassuming yet unrivalled, with exceptional ability as an ornithological illustrator. With encouragement from Dr Schlegel, the director of the Rijksmuseum of Natural History at Leyden in Holland, Keulemans studied anatomy and the scientific representation of birds, and developed an unequalled skill in beautiful hand-coloured lithographic representation of birds in their habitats.

Posted: 10/03/2020 5:00:06 PM by | with 0 comments


William Dampier was the first Englishman to visit Australia - in Cygnet in 1688. William Dampier was also the first person to circumnavigate the world three times. Dampier's education in Latin and arithmetic, and training and battle experience in the Royal Navy, were great assets on his voyages. If he had been more impressed with what he saw of north-western Australia, the east coast might have been charted much earlier, and it might not have been another 100 years before the British established a colony on the east coast. 

Posted: 27/12/2019 11:52:29 AM by | with 0 comments


Some of the finest antique prints of views are from 18th century France and Britain. Rigaud's engravings of Royal residences and gardens of France, Bucks' town panoramas for A Prospect of Britain, Kip's British Views of Palaces and Estates of Nobililty, and James Beeverell's small engravings from the latter epitomize the grand vistas of the upper classes in previous times.

Posted: 18/11/2019 12:39:55 PM by | with 0 comments


Entertaining botanical drawings by a French artist and caricaturist, not only personified flowers but also illustrated Grandville’s state of mind in 1847, following the death of three of his children. Grandville’s illustrations for Fleurs Animées (Animated Flowers), usually referred to as ‘Flower Ladies’, was universally the most popular of all his wonderfully imaginative illustrations.

Posted: 4/08/2019 4:24:15 PM by | with 0 comments


During 40 years of dealing in antique maps and prints I have been fascinated with early printing methods and hand-made paper. How did it all start? Papyrus and parchment preceded paper and prints for recording and sharing of information and pictures.

Posted: 3/03/2019 10:16:56 AM by | with 0 comments


The early English Vanity Fair magazine was a politically conservative magazine that mainly provided lively social commentary during 45 years of Victorian and Edwardian England. Vanity Fair magazine was extremely popular because of the distinctive caricature that was included in each week’s edition.

Posted: 29/10/2018 2:41:50 PM by | with 0 comments


Antique maps and prints are generally known by their cartographer or artist, however the artistic flair of John Tallis resulted in the map and print publications being identified as his. There are very few publishers who have achieved this recognition.

Posted: 31/08/2018 10:09:09 PM by | with 0 comments


Portraits used only to be commissioned for important personages. When people appeared in a scene of any other subject the people were usually not named. When a portrait was painted by an artist - or later, was commissioned of a photographer - it meant that someone considered the subject worthy of recording as an individual. 

Posted: 30/03/2018 5:56:33 PM by | with 0 comments


One of the grandest of all publications on orchids was compiled by Frederick Sander at the end of the 19th century to record all orchid classes for Reichenbach Orchids. Henry George Moon painted most of the natural-looking images for the lithographs that were made "to represent truthfully the natural aspect of the plants"- life-size where possible. The only orchid painted by Charles Storer is the grand Cattleya Rochellensis, pictured in the centre, below.

Posted: 20/03/2018 2:43:57 AM by | with 0 comments


If you love the amazing variety of homes inhabited by sealife - simply referred to by us humans as Shells, you will love the beautifully-coloured 18th century copperplate engravings illustrating the large personal museum of Niccolo Gualtieri Conchology. They represent all kinds of calcareous shells inhabited by sealife without joints, known as molluscs. Here endeth the lesson.. Now for your enjoyment of the artistry of the forms they create for their protection. 

Posted: 13/02/2018 10:50:45 AM by | with 0 comments


Improve the ambience of your environment. Enjoy your artwork! Antique prints offer an enormous selection of subjects, styles and sizes... and work well in groups for added interest.

Posted: 18/02/2017 11:31:44 PM by | with 0 comments


The first professional English architect, Inigo Jones is considered to be the father of classical English architecture. He believed that mathematics should govern all structures, and this philosophy resulted in beauty and balance in all Inigo Jones architectural designs.

Posted: 31/01/2017 11:37:25 AM by | with 0 comments


James Cook was a great explorer and a great man. Of humble parentage and with little formal education Captain Cook was respected by all. After he died one of his crew wrote: “He was beloved by his people who looked up to him as to a father, and obeyed his commands with alacrity. The confidence we placed in him was unremitting; our admiration of his great talents unbounded; our esteem for his good qualities affectionate and sincere.” Sir Joseph Banks, the great botanist who travelled with, employed the scientists, and financed a great part of Cook’s first voyage, said that he had never known a finer man than James Cook.

Posted: 2/06/2016 8:49:47 AM by | with 0 comments


A passion for beautiful shells can transform your walls. These homes of small sea creatures have fascinated for centuries. In the 18th century, the large personal shell collection of Italian physician and professor Niccolo Gualtieri, was engraved on copperplates so that the illustrations could be enjoyed by all. Today these superb engravings are rarely seen, but here at Antique Print Club we have a wonderful selection for sale. They are all beautifully hand-coloured, and look stunning when framed. Index Testarum Conchyliorum quae adservantur in Museo Niccolo Gualtieri is the Latin name of this collection.

Posted: 22/03/2016 3:13:34 PM by | with 0 comments


Giovanni Battista Piranesi was one of the finest etchers of all time. His technical mastery rendered his strong copperplate etchings of classical antiquities brilliantly three dimensional. Piranesi combined technical perspective from his studies of architecture, archaeology, classical sculpture and mythology, with artistic flamboyance developed from his experience with Venetian theatrical stage design.

Posted: 4/10/2015 9:14:00 PM by | with 0 comments


In 1756 John Hill wrote The British Herbal: an History of Plants and Trees, Natives of Britain, cultivated for use or raised for Beauty. Each tall page illustrated five rows of up to six small hand-coloured copperplate engravings of botanical specimens. It was not his grandest work, but it was certainly his most successful.

Posted: 15/06/2015 3:40:12 PM by | with 0 comments


Over  period of 50 years, from the age of 26, John Gould published superb hand-coloured lithographs to illustrate birds from the different regions of the world. Published between 1840 and 1848, John Gould's Birds of Australia were some of the finest illustrations ever done of Australian birds.

Posted: 3/11/2014 3:34:46 PM by | with 0 comments


On our recent trip to Europe Derek and I found some rare early Australian botanical engravings and lithographs. Examples of these Australian flora are shown below, but for a wider choice you can see them on our website. Enjoy the stunning variety of Australian flora all year round by choosing interesting and beautiful botanical art for your walls.

Posted: 10/10/2014 2:44:20 PM by | with 0 comments


John Tallis maps and prints combine accuracy of cartography with elegant presentation and skilful, stylish, engraved embellishment. While he is best known in England for his publication of one of London's earliest street directories, John Tallis's legacy to the rest of the world is surely his finely engraved maps and prints, with their decorative borders and 'vignette' scenes complimenting the main subject.

Posted: 22/08/2014 6:53:32 PM by | with 0 comments


Rare original antique maps & antique charts are fascinating combinations of history, science and art. They represent not only discoveries from previous centuries, they also show the misconceptions of mapmakers. The inaccuracies and variations of coastlines and country borders have made antique maps and charts highly coveted and collectable.

Posted: 5/06/2014 12:14:22 PM by | with 0 comments


The delightful beautifully hand-coloured fashion stencils from 1912 to 1914 introduced elegant fashions of the wealthy in Paris. Fashions continuously change, and often return with variations on a theme. These delicate hand-coloured pochoirs from the short period of the exclusive fashion periodical, Costumes Parisiens, show great attention to fabric and drape, and represent both fun and elegance during the period when fashion began to show more freedom in following female form. These lovely little hand-coloured stencils are rarely seen today as they were only produced over a short period from 1912 to 1914.  

Posted: 4/03/2014 12:30:00 PM by | with 0 comments


Gazette du Bon Ton. Arte - Mode et Frivolités (Journal of Good Style. Art, Fashion & Fun), or.. Gazette du Bon Ton. Modes et manieres d'aujourd'hui (Journal of Good Style. Fashion and Manners of the Day): a coveted periodical by both names, it was intended for the elite and was expensive

Posted: 4/03/2014 12:30:00 PM by | with 0 comments


Knowing what someone likes makes finding a gift much easier. What do they wear, surround themselves with or talk about? What do they like? Perhaps they have a sense of humour..? Thoughtfulness in the selection of presents is always appreciated. We would always be happy to help you...

Posted: 26/02/2014 10:34:32 AM by | with 0 comments


The Raphael Vatican loggia frescos are probably among the most readily recognized today, but fresco wall decoration was not a new idea

Posted: 26/02/2014 10:15:39 AM by | with 0 comments


Since closing our Milton gallery at Camford Square at the end of 2011, Derek and I have been surprisingly  busy - mainly with maps, prints and books being bought from our website. We also catch up with customers who find they enjoy the drive out to the Antique Print Club-house off Springbrook Road on Mt Nimmel in Neranwood.

Posted: 25/02/2014 5:01:32 PM by | with 0 comments


In Northern Europe in 1472 the first woodblock map was published by inking a raised type-face that had been created by carving away from the image to be printed. In Italy a different process was soon developed to show the fine detail of each map by copperplate engraving.

Posted: 25/02/2014 4:54:40 PM by | with 0 comments


ANTIQUE MAPS from 100 to 400 years old:

We have a great selection of maps and charts of the world - of most countries from most centuries... showing earlier beliefs of land formations, charting of exploration and discoveries, and, later, redivision of land into countries following wars, and division of countries into regions as populations grew.

Posted: 25/02/2014 4:47:33 PM by | with 0 comments


A fine piece of Sevres porcelain fetched almost a million dollars at the end of 2011, when it was bought by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is such a huge amount of money for one item that the...

Posted: 25/02/2014 4:22:36 PM by | with 0 comments



Over the centuries Paris has established itself as the location of the finest fashion houses. Haute couture has been appreciated worldwide, and talented artists were employed in France to introduce couturiers' fashion designs to the public.

Posted: 25/02/2014 4:11:26 PM by | with 0 comments


Early exploration revealed more than new countries. Wildlife from the "other end of the  world" included animal shapes that were quite different from any seen in Europe, and a unique and...

Posted: 25/02/2014 4:05:44 PM by | with 0 comments


During the second half of the 18th century, a number of major expeditions to the Pacific by French and British explorers revealed previously unknown population settlements and their different customs. James Cook undoubtedly contributed the greatest discoveries, but French explorers also contributed greatly to western knowledge of the Pacific region.

Posted: 25/02/2014 3:04:08 PM by | with 0 comments


As with the counties of England, there is also a wide choice of decorative antique maps of the different counties or départements of  France.

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:57:49 PM by | with 0 comments


A French cartographer’s superb world map (Henri Chatelain, circa 1718). Carte tres curieuse de la Mer du Sud, contenant des remarques nouvelles et tres utiles.. (Very curious map of the Southern...

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:52:24 PM by | with 0 comments


Creativity of cartography extends to the elaborate decorative narrative in Levasseur maps of the departments of France and her colonies. The ornate decoration included historic statistics, important people from the region, and trades and produce.  Some of the most elaborately decorative maps ever published are the antique maps of the French Departments and Colonies by Victor Levasseur. 

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:49:44 PM by | with 0 comments


There are few things as fascinating and evocative as an antique map. Unlike the highly functional maps of today, maps used to be decorative works of art, that not only portrayed a country's geography but also its culture and history.

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:47:49 PM by | with 0 comments


In botany, the word ‘exotic’ is used to indicate a botanical specimen has been introduced from another country. Many people describe our own native plants as ‘exotic’, meaning they have unusual...

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:37:55 PM by | with 0 comments


Starting a collection in a new subject can be thrilling. Collecting maps can begin in many ways. A long time interest might result in a decision to begin collecting antique maps. Finding an old...

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:28:40 PM by | with 0 comments


Plan de la Riviere Brisbane (Nouvelle Hollande) Découverte par M. OXLEY Ingenieur 
Chart of the Brisbane River (Australia) Discovered by John Oxley, Geographical Engineer at Port Jackson. (December 1823) ...

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:20:11 PM by | with 0 comments


"China and the Chinese. A series of views from original sketches, displaying the scenery, architecture, social habits, etc., of this ancient and exclusive empire. by Thomas Allom Esquire." China...

Posted: 25/02/2014 2:11:23 PM by | with 0 comments


To know more about antique prints, you should understand the processes involved in their creation. To start at the beginning, “printing” describes the transference of ink from a prepared printing...

Posted: 25/02/2014 12:55:42 PM by | with 0 comments


Have you ever had a great holiday, and returned, still marvelling at the wonderful detail and classical style in the centuries-old buildings you saw? You may not be able to build your own stone chateau or even construct a country mansion like those in Europe, but have you considered bringing the style into your own home with the stunning designs from wall decoration there?

Posted: 25/02/2014 12:35:10 PM by | with 0 comments


Piranesi was a brilliant classical artist whose work will always be admired - even though his name is often unknown. The series of Piranesi Vases, often referred to as Urns, will always find a place in classic design, and are still used today - with modern as well as traditional decor.

Posted: 25/02/2014 12:26:40 PM by | with 0 comments


Few people can afford to collect the finest porcelain ever made, and most will never have an opportunity to see any. Everyone, however, is able to enjoy beautiful lithographs of fine early porcelain. Some of the most beautiful are the fine antique lithographs from late in the 19th century which record the best examples of French porcelain from the factories of Faience in Rouen. The history of the development of soft porcelain is well-represented in the lovely antique lithographs of Faience porcelain.

Posted: 1/12/2009 11:17:54 AM by | with 0 comments


Collecting antiques prints and maps is a hobby for anyone. They need not be expensive. They can cost as little as $30 – or as much as $30,000. It is not necessary to spend a large amount of money to buy something of value that you can treasure - and it's evident around the world that people of all ages and all backgrounds are equally fascinated by antique maps and prints.

Posted: 1/08/2009 10:24:14 AM by | with 0 comments


Blog search