What is the best way is flatten Antique Maps?

Question

Does anyone know the best way to flatten antique maps that won't ruin the map?

If they are less than 150 years and uncoloured I have used the iron in the past. But with older maps and coloured ones bit worried doing this?

Have a 1720 Seutter map that has a slight bend in it, but has full colour. Any ideas?

Also while I am at it, is there any map/atlas collectors out there who would know the best long term way to store atlas's and maps in Canberra?

Thanks Rodger

Answer 1

I would be very careful about the inks as they are very likely to bleed. With old docs I have always placed them in a steam cabinet designed for this purpose - I use to work in a government archive department and many had dried out, leaving them in a roll or folded together. Some required a few minutes, others hours, but I have never attempted this with coloured material. Even "black" inks can bleed slightly.

Have a chat with your local council department and see if you can get a contact  for your archive depatment. The job is extremly boring and I am sure thay will be only too willing to offer you help and advice. The price of a pint may result in a pristine map!  

Answer 2

If you are serious about flattening an old map, I would take it to a professional.  DO NOT STEAM OR IRON the map, if its from 1720 it likely contains the press marks still and the steam will only prove to ruin the map, especially if it has green in it (it tends to bleed through with age at the best of times).

The bend, is it a natural bend or a bend that has come from mismanagement?  Some maps were published for an atlas thus its normal to have a bend in it.

It also depends on what kind of paper the map is made of, if its an authentic 1720 map (not a reproduction) then you want to keep it in moderate humidity and out of direct sunlight.  If you want to frame it get a frame that blocks UV light fully and do not hang it where sunlight can hit it directly, this will cause depreciation and breakdown the map very quickly.

If you plan on storing it out of view, lay it as flat as you can.  Do not put it in a map tube.  It would be worth your while to get a cabinet that allows you the ability to store such maps flat.

I have attached 2 websites that can help you located antique map dealers in the Canberra area.  

Answer 3

lay it out on a flat surace and cover it with something clean and then place heavy object( hard back books) evenly across the map and give it a few days, works a charm