Customer Reviews

Collecting Old Maps

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would like to gently disagree/agree with the previous reviewer - this book is an exceptionally useful source for collectors at ALL levels of collecting - not only for novices although a novice should read this book before buying his/her first map! But this is truly a unique map collector's book. It breaks with the classical "map book" style and connects a huge amount of information. That has helped me a lot. I have been a collector for about ten years and I use this book the most of the several dozen I own on antique maps. Practically every question I have had on collecting is dealt with here. The author's style is refreshing and he presents otherwise difficult information very clearly. The book has lots of information, clearly presented, not found in any other map book. I now finally know about acids and what they are! I can now easily tell between lithographs and engravings and etchings just by looking at a map. The sections on paper and vellum, color, folding maps, what determines the value of a map, repairing defects and much more are all presented in the context of the collector's maps. I find the information very practical, a foreign language map dictionary, a glossary and hundreds of fine pictures of maps and details. This book increased my enjoyment of my hobby and will continue to do so. It is not dumbed down. It is refreshing to read and is actually amusing in parts. I met the author at the recent Miami map fair and told him this personally.

I got this book as a present and am very pleased and impressed. The book has a lot of information that is not in other books about collecting antique maps and that would be very hard to find anywhere else. The author has made difficult subjects very clear and the pictures and diagrams are impressive. The detail shots of different parts of maps and how to distinguish different printing processes are great! I like the sections on paper and vellum and the blow-ups of microscope pictures of paper fibers. The author does not go overboard with science, but puts it into the big picture for the map collector and it has helped me to understand more about the maps I collect. The hundreds of pictures of maps, including showing damage before and after repair are wonderful - this has helped me with my collection and helps me decide whether or not to buy a map that might have some defects. The writing is very good and clear and the entire book is written in a very interesting way. I am much more knowledgeable about my hobby than before and I find the appendixes useful on a regular basis. I enjoy using this book, it is a beautiful book.

A book of substance. "Collecting Old Maps" really deals with the subject and is not a watered-down survey of old maps someone thinks we should collect. This book breaks with the old way map books were written and is a refreshing "out of the box" way to look at old map collecting. There is no other book like it and I don't know where else one can get the information that is in here. Very well written, a delight to read and not dumbed-down. There is even some sly humor in here! I agree with the earlier reviews so there is no point in repeating everything they said.

When I began contemplating entering the world of map collecting, Collecting Old Maps, provided a lot of information to allay my fears of being snookered by an less than honest seller. The numerous images of maps in chapter 9 are a treasure to look at. The tips in chapter 5, on spotting replicas were great. Its a complete book for those just entering the hobby.

I wish this book had been available years ago when I started my collection. I am glad its here now and after reading it I have new insights into my collection. Manaseck has a unique way of presenting a vast amount of information. Thank you! As a collector, I am glad its printed on acid free paper and the chapter in it about acids lets me know what I'm talking about!

Got this book for Christmas and read the whole thing through. Unlike other map reference books in my collection, I actually read this one cover to cover! It is a remarkable book and the author shares what is a vast knowledge with us in a very unusual and direct way. The illustrations are really great and there are lots of them. Where else, for example, can you learn the names of the different parts of a folding map, with each part illustrated with real examples? Every page seems to have several. It is a big and very beautiful book. I will now go and re-read it.

This is truly an outstanding book. It is exceptionally well-written and the number of illustrations is exceptional. Unlike most map books, this one uses illustrations to make specific points about maps, as well as to show what the map looks like. There is a huge amount of information in here - including such things as illustrated details about pocket map construciton, microscope pictures of paper, information about acids (for the non-chemist!) and a wonderful section of over a hundred maps, one per page, arranged chronologically. I found the CollectingOldMaps website a very valuable collateral since it shows up-to-date prices for all the maps in the book. The readability and info in this book make it a bargain - it is beautiful, also!

Love the book! Well written and very informative. I agree with the previous reviewers. I thank the autor.

If I could have just one book on map collecting this would be it. The book is an enjoyable read, and written in a crystal clear fashion. The book contains much essential information for collectors: map terminology, printing methods, translation of common phrases into English, how to judge condition, and blunt advice on the workings of the marketplace. All of this plus great reference material on map makers, styles, and periods. I've had this book for several years now and find myself reaching for it time and again. Thank you Dr. Manasek!