The Antique Map Shop's recommendations for framing and looking after your maps:
Some antique maps were printed on quite delicate paper and don't stand much handling. Here are some simple suggestions as to how to look after your map from receiving it from us to enjoying it for years:
1) To reduce the chance of damaging your map if we have posted it, we recommend, on opening the tube:
grip the tissue and not the map to extract it.
2) A professional framer will offer a choice of appropriate acid-free mounts (mats) and suitable frames. If in doubt, ask for minimum quality, acid neutral or the best quality, conservation grade mounting material.
3) Display your framed map away from regular, direct sunlight and avoid excessive humidity. Ask your framer about UV reflective glass. Hallways and stairwells are generally good places to display maps, bathrooms and over fireplaces are not.
4) Some maps have important text on the back and you may wish to keep this visible. Traditionally, this was achieved through glazing both sides of the map, but this method has potential issues. Due to the extra weight of glass, the wall fixings have to be very secure, as if the unthinkable happens and the frame smashes, the map is very likely to be irrevocably damaged by all that broken glass. Ask your framer for more on double-glaze framing.
1) To reduce the chance of damaging your map if we have posted it, we recommend, on opening the tube:
grip the tissue and not the map to extract it.
2) A professional framer will offer a choice of appropriate acid-free mounts (mats) and suitable frames. If in doubt, ask for minimum quality, acid neutral or the best quality, conservation grade mounting material.
3) Display your framed map away from regular, direct sunlight and avoid excessive humidity. Ask your framer about UV reflective glass. Hallways and stairwells are generally good places to display maps, bathrooms and over fireplaces are not.
4) Some maps have important text on the back and you may wish to keep this visible. Traditionally, this was achieved through glazing both sides of the map, but this method has potential issues. Due to the extra weight of glass, the wall fixings have to be very secure, as if the unthinkable happens and the frame smashes, the map is very likely to be irrevocably damaged by all that broken glass. Ask your framer for more on double-glaze framing.