Image taken on 2009-09-07 21:41:22 by Adam Crowe.
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Have you ever wondered what the world was like when your ancestors lived? Thanks to genealogy maps, you can! No matter where in the world your ancestors existed, there are historical maps detailing the land as it was during those times. Whether you’re a lover of history, a student, or a genealogist, you will be fascinated over ancient maps. There were historic maps drawn during every year of recorded history. The ancients did a great job drawing detailed maps with what limited resource they had. There are literally thousands of historic maps that are still available for us today. Not only can we read about history, but ancient world maps give us the opportunity to actually *see* history! Imagine seeing the world as the ancient Romans saw it. Yes, it’s possible to see the rise and fall of the Roman Empire through historic maps! It’s also possible to watch how America changed over the course of the Civil War. Civil War maps were updated every day during the war. There are even historic maps showing the location of many Native American tribes over the centuries! Modern technology gives us the opportunity to make exact copies of ancient maps. Replicas still have the look and feel of antique world maps. You can collect physical copies of the historic maps, as well as download them. You can also buy them as gifts for family members. If you have a genealogy freak or history buff in your family, antique world maps would be a perfect gift for them! You can give them a chance to see the world through the eyes of their ancestors. Allow them to see the immigration routes that their ancestors took, exactly as they took them. Historic world maps are truly ideal gifts for anyone who is interested in either their own family history, or world history in general.
Antique map collecting is a very popular hobby. It is an ideal choice for those interested in geography and cartography, history, art, politics…The good news is that you don’t need a lot of money to get started.
What should you collect? The best idea is to collect something that you like. Antique map collectors usually focus on either “vertical” or “horizontal” type of collection. “Vertical” means that you can collect maps from one country or one particular area of the world, and follow the development of that country or area through history. “Horizontal” means that you concentrate on a particular time period or on the work of only one mapmaker.
Before you decide what types of maps to collect, you must also decide how much money you are able to spend on antique map collecting. So, what can you expect to pay for an antique map? There are many maps still available for less than $150. However, rare antique maps can be very expensive, sometimes reaching five or six figures. Older maps are generally more valuable. However, maps from the 16th century can be bought for under $250 while maps from the 19th century can be worth thousands of dollars. The value of old maps is also affected by supply and demand. Maps of Africa, India, Russia, and South America and other less popular regions, can be very affordable. If you don’t want to spend money buying original maps, you can buy reproductions of expensive and rare antique maps.
The best thing a beginner should do is to visit antique map shops, talk to the dealers and see the wide range of maps available. Also, there are dedicated map fairs, and antiquarian book fairs where antique map dealers are represented. Antique maps are sold in two forms – bound in a book or atlas, or as a separate sheet.
Humans have been trying to map the world since the beginning of our existence. Ancients all around the world have tried mapping out the area(s) surrounding them. Even though we’re living in a time where the entire world is mapped out and recreated as a globe, it’s still interesting to look at the world as our ancestors saw it. No matter where your ancestors are from, looking at historic maps is a great way to see the world through their eyes. There are antique world maps that are centuries old. European maps, Asian maps, Australian maps, North and South American maps, and African maps can date back hundreds of years. There are even historical maps dating back thousands of years to ancient empires! Whenever ancient emperors successfully conquered another part of the world, the maps would be updated. Studying the ancient Roman Empire maps, for instance, can be very intriguing. These maps have either been handed down over the centuries, or discovered through archaeological searches. There are companies that specialize in recreating ancient maps, straight down to the last detail. Have you ever wondered what America looked like during the Civil War? What did Europe look like under Roman rule? What names did your ancestors give to their lands? Would you like to see how the United States evolved through historical maps? How have the sea levels changed over the last several centuries? What if you found out that your ancestors had their own personal maps of the land(s) they owned? Thanks to the Internet, it’s possible to browse through historic maps. You can even order replicas of antique world maps as well as genealogy maps. Whether you’re a history buff, a genealogy buff, or simply curious, looking at ancient maps can be a very interesting experience.
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Texas
September 6, 2010, 5:46 pm
 Partly sunny 29°Creal feel: 33°C
current pressure: 1012 mb
humidity: 71%
wind speed: 6 m/s SE
wind gusts: 6 m/s
sunrise: 7:00
sunset: 19:37
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