The Hidden Value of Maps - Books with maps, exploration and more

A book with a map is a special thing, and a particularly valuable asset in some cases.

Antique book collectors find great interest in books that show particular places or travels and come with a map to help the reader guide themselves along the route the author or character takes.

In some cases, with antique maps found in books, the information may no longer be up to date or correct but that is expected and adds to the value in most instances.

Some maps, much like illustrations by famous artists (eg Arthur Rackham) will be removed by fans or collectors to frame or sell individually (and thus increase profit). Therefore to have a book complete with map can be a somewhat rare thing.

Below I have listed some types you may see:

The Fantasy Map

Some fantasy or fictional books contain maps to give the reader a sense of the journey undertaken by leading characters.

The Lord Of The Rings is one of the best examples of this, with early editions featuring large, fold-out maps at the back of the book.
The value of a book with the map can be more than half again the overall amount that the book is worth.

The Map End/ Front Paper

Some books have a map as the front or endpaper (the page inside the cover).
This adds to the overall presentation of  book and makes the book suitably more interesting.
Again, Tolkien comes to mind among the more collectible.

Maps of Exploration

Some antique books will detail the adventure, travels or exploration of  a particular person.

In some cases these book will contain maps to show the travels that they undertook.

As these are often historical maps, they can be quite sought after and the books that have such maps are often worth a fair amount more than those that are missing them.

Classic (Vintage) Fold Out Maps

Not a book as such but these large scale folding maps are available in almost every bookshop or charity shop across England at least.
With older cloth version dating pre 1950's being worth more than later paper copies, these are the classic map and can be quite valuable if particularly early, of a popular area eg London Central or if you have a set.

Map of the Heavens etc

Maps of land aren't the only type available. There are maps of the heavens. maps of the ocean bottom and many other maps besides.
The map below is from a book printed in 1850 and is valuable in itself, especially as it is a double page plate.

Colour Antique Maps

Antique maps found in books are generally black and white.

Maps with colour are generally more collectable although watch out that they haven't been coloured by a reader!
The maps below is not entirely correct compare with modern maps and dates from a book printed in 1872

Vintage Travel Guide

There are many series of vintage travel books containing maps.

Below is from the classic Ward Lock Travel Guide series but Baedekers is a more valuable series in comparison. Maps from the Baedeker books can be removed and sold individually so valuable are the books

These books will feature many maps along with illustrations to help a tourist travelling to such country as the book is about.

A collection or set can be worth a lot although here age is of importance for the pre 1900 books are far more valuable than later editions such as the book below.

 Removed maps

The map below dates from the 1770's and may well have been removed from a book.
Pre 1850's books can be particularly valuable if containing a map or several. In many cases these maps may have been removed to sell individually.
These are generally good for framing and hold often a limited value purely from interest or age.

Artistic Maps

Some books feature maps that have been creatively designed or artistically created.

These ae generally more modern bu pre 1930's books with such maps can be of great interest to collectors depending on the book title and the artist (in some cases).
Below is a map from a discovery book designed to show the 'Illumination' of the human race through exploration of the various continents.

City Map

City maps, especially when part of a map booklet or book are particularly valuable.
The rate at which things change in a city means that such maps are often hugely outdated and thus if interest for readers to see what the historic world was like.

Look for tube maps or central city maps older than 1930 for some value

And that concludes this brief guide about maps.
I have tried to include what I know but I am sure that there are many other types of maps out there to be found in books - cartographers may be turning in their graves around the world knowing that I have written this!

I hope the guide helped at least in showing how important maps can be to books.

Thanks for reading and as ever a share, comment or +1 is much appreciated