​As I've mentioned before having beautiful prints of flowers in your home is like bringing the outside indoors.  If you're looking to brighten up your decor or simply love collecting botanical prints then the work of Louis Benoît Van Houtte should be on your list.  Van Houtte (1810-1876) was a Belgian horticulturist who worked at the Jardin Botanique de Brussels between 1836 and 1838 and is best known for his famous series of botanicals, Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe. He was the proprietor of the largest nursery of its time on the continent. At the height of European orchid mania in 1845 he despatched plant collectors to the Americas to search for orchids and other exotic plants.
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Above: Flowering plant Dipladdenia Nobilis c1849 original chromolithograph from Louis van Houtte’s, Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe).

Van Houtte founded a number of high quality botanical periodicals to advertise the plants he sold. Many of the beautiful prints were created by his own printing office in the middle of the gardens, the Horto van Houtteano. His illustrations of plants are especially notable for the craftsmanship of the Belgian lithographers Severeyns, Stroobant and De Pannemaker, who had mastered the art of colour printing from stone.

Happy Hunting!

You can see more botanicals by Louise Van Houtte and Jean Jules Linden HERE.

A regular question asked on Facebook groups like "Antique Map Collectors" is what's it worth? People stick up a picture of some map they've picked up at some estate sale or something thats been tucked away in the attic for years in the hope it may just be worth money.  

Most times these are no more than reproduction maps, not even antique and of little value.  Occasionally the map is antique but commonplace and therefore only worth a few pounds. The truth is there are no fixed price’s for maps. You’ll have to take some time and do some research to get an understanding of how the map market works. Some maps that are more popular with a wide appeal do have a more stable price range but this is not the case with most maps.

Above: America Civil War Map by Theodre Ettling c1861.  Depending where you interact with the market affects the price you'll pay. The illogical reality in this example shows the variation in what you could pay. 

Within the antique map market there are segments that within themselves create differing sub markets. Prices will differ within these sub markets for the same map. Think of it like this, the overall market is made up of a mix of buyers and sellers including dealers, auction houses, serious collectors, casual collectors, institutions, even interior decor buyers and various others that of themselves create there own transient markets.

The buyers and sellers take into consideration factors that will impact the price of the map being sold. These factors will include factors like: Geographical area popular or unpopular. Popular maps with wide appeal will usually demand a higher price. An early state or first edition of a map by a mapmaker of significance will usually demand a higher price than a later edition of the same map.
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But there’s lots of other factors that affect price. No two maps are exactly the same! Add to this issues like condition good or not so good, its visual appeal, has it got original colour, later colour, or is it uncoloured as first published. As an example, if this is a popular map the issue of colour alone may make for a higher value if its original, or it could even lower the value if the colour has been added later and executed poorly or incorrectly for the period!

There are many experienced dealers with websites, do your research and you will be able to establish some guidelines on price’s for most antique maps for both retail and trade prices.

Top Tip: Research, research, research. Knowledge gained along with experience comes highly recommended at this stage. As they say “If in doubt - don’t” well maybe don’t is no help so I recommend ask someone with more experience and if you can’t ask directly you can reach out to people online.

Grab a copy my ebook "Collecting Antique Maps 2021  - It’s Free at https://bit.ly/3oHWt9Q​

Well this is my first post of 2021, what can I say about 2020! Best left unsaid I think.  On a positive note here's wishing you all a better than good 2021 and yes Stay Safe! Those of you that follow my posts will know that since around last September I started weekly posts for the series "Collecting Antique Maps - Tips for the Novice".  Well those that have missed out now have a chance to get this information as a free download pdf book to see you on your way for 2021.  ​It’s in pdf format so you can consume on the go! Perfect for your iPhone, tablet, iPad, laptop or desktop.

This is for those who are new to collecting antique maps or even new to the idea of collecting maps. How you got to this point doesn’t really matter. What you do next is what matters. This may be something you’ve been thinking about starting for sometime, its fast becoming you’re new passion, so where do you start?

This kick start guide will help you get to grips with what you really need to know first. Jumping in feet first can be fun but leaves you open to the potential of making what could be an expensive mistake. I’ve been there so I’m adequately qualified!

If you’re thinking beyond an interesting hobby or personal collection and see this as your next ‘side hustle’ maybe even getting into buying and selling online as I do then you MUST read this guide before anything else - enjoy!

Here's the link to DOWNLOAD your free copy today.

All the best for 2021!  

Another of the exceptional aquatint prints from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815.  Below the print is a short excerpt from the original written account as published with the print.  ​Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore, KB was a British Army general, also known as Moore of Corunna. He is best known for his military training reforms and for his death at the Battle of Corunna, in which he repulsed a French army under Marshal Soult during the Peninsular War.  

Moore withdrew northwards to the port of Corunna. There he fought a skillful rearguard battle on 16 January 1809 that kept the French from attacking his embarking army.  At one point in the fighting, Moore led two regiments back into the village of Elvina from where they had been ejected by the French. After firing a volley, they drove the French out at the point of the bayonet.  Moore was mortally wounded by cannon shot during this engagement, but lived long enough to learn that he had been victorious. His last words were: ‘I hope the people of England will be satisfied! I hope my country will do me justice!’

Above:​  The Death of Sir John Moore January 17th 1809  from The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 by James Jenkins.

Excerpt from the written account as published:
HAVING given a detail of the battle of Corunna in another part of our work, we shall confine ourselves to the documents now before us, relative to the death of the general who planned this glorious retreat, but who fell a victim to those plans, the accomplishment of which he was permitted to witness before he closed his eyes in death. Of the regretted hero of Corunna, Buonaparte was known to exclaim, “ Moore is the only general now worthy to contend with me; I shall therefore “ advance against him in person.” But to the relation before us. 
“I was ordered,” says Captain Harding, “by the commander in chief, to desire a battalion 6 of Guards to advance, and I was pointing out to the general the situation of this battalion; our“ horses were touching at the very moment that a cannon-shot from the enemy's battery carried “ away his left shoulder and part of the collar-bone, leaving the arm hanging by the flesh. The “ violence of the shock threw him off his horse on his back, yet did not a muscle of his face alter, “ or a sigh betray the least sensation of pain. I dismounted, and taking his hand, he pressed mine “ forcibly. He cast his eyes very anxiously towards the 42d regiment, who were botly engaged, and “ whom he had just before cheered by, “Well done, 42d! well done, my majors !' His countenance “ expressed satisfaction when I informed him the regiment was advancing. Assisted by a soldier “ of the 42d, he was removed a few yards behind the shelter of a wall, and at length assented “ to be removed in a blanket to the rear; but in raising him for this purpose, his sword, hanging on “ the wounded side, touched his arm and became entangled between his legs. I perceived the in “ convenience, and was in the act of unbuckling it from his waist, when he said, in his usual tone " and manner, and in a very distinct voice, “ It is as well as it is-I HAD RATHER IT SHOULD GO OUT * 6 OF THE FIELD WITH ME. They proceeded with him in a blanket to his lodgings at Corunna, “the soldiers shedding tears as they went."

​How to Identify the Prints:
The original prints from The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 are aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper. Plates also exist that were printed on India Paper. They should clearly identify bottom left W. Heath (delt) who did the drawings and bottom right T. Sutherland (sculpt) who produced most of the aquatint engravings with some by D. Havell, M. Dubourg and J. Hill.  Each plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title.  The approx engraved area of the plates are 8.5" x 7.75" (215mm x 195mm) including the engraved title text.  Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm).  The large sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm).

You can see more prints from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815  HERE.  If you're interested in a specific print and you cannot see it on my website please feel free to message me.

I really am going to wind this up about the 'kinds of maps' available to newbie collectors. Trouble is I keep thinking of those I missed out!  Well another for you is miniature maps.  I've collected a few in my time, the example below is from part of an earlier collection I had.   The so called miniatures came about for the simple reason that most early atlases were published in folio format and were simply too expensive for most people.  

With a market demand for something affordable the smaller atlases came into existence.  The maps were based on the large folio maps already produced by various publishers.  Understandably these smaller maps do not have the same level of detail as their larger counterparts but they still provide an interesting alternative for collectors.  Smaller means, easy to store, less wall space and they can be purchased online with modest shipping costs. Not to be forgotten they will cost you less than the larger folio maps.

As promised another of the exceptional aquatint prints from James Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain. To give you even more of an insight into the event recorded I've shared a brief excerpt from the original written account published below the print.

​The French fleet of twenty-five sail of the line and fifteen frigates had sailed out of Brest in order to bring in homeward bound merchant ships. The fleet was discovered by the British on 28 May and battle was given on the 29th. The action was interrupted by fog and battle was not re-engaged until 1 June when the British fleet prevailed and captured seven vessels.

Known as 'The Glorious First of June', this action was also known as the 'Third Battle of Ushant'. The British were commanded by Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe (1726-99), and the French were commanded by Admiral Louis-Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse (1747-1812). The British defeat of the French was only a tactical victory, the objective of capturing a French grain convoy was not achieved. 

Above:  Plate 1: Lord Howe's Victory, June 1st 1794. Published Apr 1st 1816 at 48 Strand for J. Jenkins Navel Achievements.  From The Naval achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1793 to 1817 by J. Jenkins.

Excerpt from the written account as published: 
Lord Howe's Victory, June 1st 1794. At the commencement of the war in 1793, Admiral Howe was appointed to the arduous command of the Channel fleet; and powers seldom entrusted to a commander were wisely granted to him. By the short cruises he made, and the wise regulations he introduced, the fleet under his command was always ready to engage the enemy, and cleared the way for that brilliant achievement which followed. On the 19th May, 1794, being off Ushant, he received intelligence that the French fleet had put to sea from Brest, under the command of Admiral Villaret: he immediately made every preparation to follow them; and on the 28th a signal was made by one of the look out frigates for a strange fleet. The admiral immediately threw out the signal for the advanced squadron under Rear Admiral Paisley to reconnoitre, who, between nine and ten, discovered them to be enemies. On the 29th the admiral made the signal to form a line of battle ahead; but, being impatient to close with the enemy, he attacked the ship, and broke through the enemy's line. The battle continued with great fury till evening, when a thick fog prevented anything decisive from taking place. 
The annexed plate represents the Queen Charlotte passing between the enemy's ships and raking a three-decker. To the left is the Bellerophon, following the glorious example of the commander in chief, bringing down her opponent's top-masts and lower-yards with a starboard broadside, at the same time raking the one to leeward; the Leviathan, with the remainder of the fleet, just coming up . . . 

How to Identify the Prints:
The original prints from "The Naval Achievements of Great Britain. From the Year 1793 to 1817" are aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper.  All the plates identify at bottom left Painted by T. Whitcombe and bottom right T. Sutherland (sculpt) who produced the aquatint engravings.  Some plates were engraved by Jeakes and Bailey after Whitcombe.  Each plate is accompanied by text pages describing the action, often with lists of ships captured or sunk, and excerpts from contemporary bulletins, dispatches, letters, and speeches.  The first edition appeared in 1817.  Early issues have watermarks of J. Whatman with the undated watermark IIS&S  on some plates. The vignette title page was uncoloured in the first issue.  The approx engraved image area of the plates are 7" x 10.25" (175mm x 260mm). Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm). The folio sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm).

You can see more prints from Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain, From the Year 1793 to 1817 HERE.  If you're interested in a specific print and you cannot see it on my website please feel free to message me.

If you follow this blog, you'll be pleased to hear we're coming to the end of 'kinds of maps' that are available to collect by the newbie antique map enthusiast.  Back in early November I started posting about the different kinds of maps available to collectors.  Several post later as I suggested at the beginning to quote myself "One size fits all! That may be true with many things in this life but you'll quickly realise that its not the case with antique maps.  In fact its more a case of every size, shape, form, subject, appearance and kind of antique map is out there if you look around." 

In reality I've just scratched the surface with these blog posts but hopefully its given you some solid suggestions as to what you can consider as a theme for collecting.  Before concluding one not to be left out of any basic list is the 'Town Plan'.   Any view straight down on a city or town showing its streets, parks, blocks of buildings etc is called a town plan or birds-eye plan.  Again popular with collectors as its something most of us are familiar with with from modern mapping.  Now of course if you're lost in a city somewhere in the world you're going to pull up the available town plan likely via Google maps on your mobile device.

As promised another of the exceptional aquatint prints from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815.  Below the print is a short excerpt from the original written account as published with the print.

The battle of Corunna, also known as the Battle of Elviña, that ensured the escape of the British army from Spain on 16th January 1809, during the Peninsular War, with the death of Sir John Moore at the moment of success. The winners and losers, well the French; having forced the British army to retreat across north-west Spain, suffering substantial losses the British leave Spain by the port of Corunna. On the other hand, the French felt cheated that the British army was enabled to escape and the British troops considered they had performed well in the battle and their self-confidence was much restored.

Above:​  The Battle of Corunna, January 17th 1809 from The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 by James Jenkins.

Excerpt from the written account as published:
THE BATTLE OF CORUNNA. AFTER numerous trials and deprivations, the English army, under the command of General Sir John Moore, arrived at Corunna, entire and unbroken, January 11, 1809; and, in a military point of view, the operations were successful and splendid. Nearly 70,000 Frenchmen, led by Buonaparte, with a great superiority of cavalry, had endeavoured in vain to surround or to rout 26,000 British; 250 miles of country had been traversed; mountains, defiles, and rivers had been crossed in daily contact with the enemy. Though often engaged, even their rear guard was never beaten, nor thrown into confusion, but was victorious in every rencounter. Much baggage undoubtedly was lost, and some 3-pounders were abandoned, but nothing was taken by force. What was left was owing to the death of waggon-horses and mules, and not to the escort ever having been defeated. The courage and menacing attitude maintained by the cavalry and reserve were sufficient always to repel and overawe the advanced guard of the enemy; and at Lugo battle was offered by this handful of British to three divisions of French, commanded by their marshals. This challenge was declined, and the impression it made enabled the British to terminate the march almost undisturbed. . . . 

How to Identify the Prints:
The original prints from The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 are aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper. Plates also exist that were printed on India Paper. They should clearly identify bottom left W. Heath (delt) who did the drawings and bottom right T. Sutherland (sculpt) who produced most of the aquatint engravings with some by D. Havell, M. Dubourg and J. Hill.  Each plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title.  The approx engraved area of the plates are 8.5" x 7.75" (215mm x 195mm) including the engraved title text.  Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm).  The large sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm).

You can see more prints from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815  HERE.  If you're interested in a specific print and you cannot see it on my website please feel free to message me.

Todays post of another superb aquatint print from James Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain shows the capture of the Castor. Castor had previously been a British ship, seized on 19 May by a French battle squadron in the Bay of Biscay and converted to French service while still at sea. While the main fleets manoeuvered around one another, Castor was detached in pursuit of a Dutch merchant ship and on 29 May encountered the smaller independently cruising British frigate HMS Carysfort.  

About 100AD a man  known as Marinus of Tyre began drawing maps for the use of seaman based on a cylindrical projection forming a grid of parrelelograms centred on Rhodes, the marine focal point of the known world.  It is only through the writings of one of the greatest geographers of all time that we know what we do of Marinus, for Ptolemy consciously built upon the formers work.  Ptolemy wrote a great deal, his best known work being Geographia, in which he discusses cartography and lists the latitude and longtitude co-ordinates of 8,000 places, culled from ancient maps or estimated from a study of traveller's tales.

Sea Charts then have been around some time, travel back to around 1800 and charting was showing a true picture of the world.  Captain Cook had disproved the existence of a great southern continent and placed New Zealand on the map. The knowledge gained by the Dutch in the East-Indies in the seventeenth century was now gradually becoming available.  Admiralty surveying and charting probably reached its peak in the early 1850's and the charts of the period may be admired for their accuracy and their fine engraving.