Vintage and Collectible Antique Map Market Regaining Strength

New York, NY, March 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The collectible antique map market, briefly stalled by the global economic crisis, is roaring back.

There is renewed interest in the antique map market in 2010 as new collectors as well as seasoned veterans are looking to take advantage of the end of the global downturn, picking up museum-quality pieces at bargain prices.

Jason Miklian, owner of Miklian Antiquarian Maps, understands that both casual buyers and seasoned investors are using the opportunity to bolster their collections, particularly for more unique and hard-to-find items. "We're seeing that after prices bottomed out last year, they are beginning to rise again across most categories and genres."

Further, values of many maps have actually increased during the economic slowdown. "Sales of maps originating from non-European or American sources have really taken off over the past couple of years," Miklian said. "In particular, it's been a challenge to keep any maps written in Arabic, Japanese, or Hindi scripts in stock."

Miklian believes that this trend will continue as other regions of the world are beginning to discover an interest in antique maps. "Indian and Chinese customers are by far our biggest new group of customers, and their tastes go beyond the standard European or American mapmakers. Most want local and regional interpretations of history, and these maps can be extremely difficult to locate."

In addition, the market has seen a real growth in late 19th century maps as well. While long-time collectors generally stick to hand-colored maps, younger collectors often tend to prefer late 19th century pieces. With prices for originals at times as low as a reproduction poster, many start their collections with pieces from this time period.

While antique maps have long been thought of as a stable, safe investment with considerable appreciation potential, they have new historical relevance in the internet age. “With the art of the printed map perhaps drawing to a close, this will make those few pieces of history that were created that much more valuable and unique,” Miklian said. “Human interest in exploration and discovery is timeless, and maps are proof of mankind’s wonder of the world we live on.”

Miklian's website, listing over 2,500 different antique maps for sale from all countries, can be seen at http://www.MiklianMaps.com. The Miklian Maps Blog, highlighting antique map news, trade shows, and other oddities and ends, is located at http://www.miklianmaps.com/blog.

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