What is the best way is flatten Antique Maps?

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

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.

David Rumsey Maps Introduction_chunk_4.wmv

1928 Antique ATLAS Map JUGO SLAVIA Jugoslavia $1.00

1907 Antique Atlas Map UTAH 102 Yrs Old $1.25

ANTIQUE MAP-ALGERY -AFRICA- Atlas Migeon- 1872 $74.90

ANTIQUE MAP- AFRICA – Darton- Walker’s Atlas- 1802 $149.90

Sotheby 12/11/07 antique ATLASES, Maps & Geographies $6.49

1928 Antique Atlas Map FRANCE listing 87 Departments $1.00

1928 Antique Atlas Map CENTRAL AMERICA Guatemala $1.00

1928 Antique Atlas Map MANITOBA CANADA $1.00

1928 Antique Atlas Map ONTARIO CANADA $1.00

1928 Antique Atlas Map QUEBEC CANADA $1.00

1928 Antique Atlas Map NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM Province $1.00

DETAILED ANTIQUE MAP 1873″BEERS ATLAS”ISLIP” LI,NY+BAY $19.99

1647 antique atlas LE THEARTRE DU MONDE Blaeu 80 maps $2.50

31 antique maps WEST VIRGINIA state ATLAS genealogy $2.50

47 antique maps INDIANA atlas state history old $2.50

BIG MIX LOT OF LARGE MAPS OLD COLLECTIBLE ANTIQUE ATLAS $129.99

ANTIQUE Dr. BUTLERS ATLAS OF ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY MAP BOOK $24.70

ANTIQUE MAP OF OREGON RAILROADS COMMERCIAL ATLAS WORLD $19.88

ANTIQUE MAP- ALGERIA-AFRICA- ATLAS MIGEON-1884 $39.90

2 ANTIQUE MAPS 1888 NSW& VIC RAIN Picturesque atlas co $18.29

ANTIQUE MAP OF ALASKA ca1887 NEW INDEXED ATLAS OF WORLD $9.99

1883 ANTIQUE OLD HISTORICAL DOCUMENT ATLAS MAP BOOK $20.51

1883 Wyoming Original Antique Atlas Map** 127 years-old $19.95

RARE LARGE ANTIQUE MAP- AMERICA -Sage Atlas-1828 $124.90

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1861 Johnson New Illustrated Family Atlas Antique Maps $800.00

DETAILED ANTIQUE MAP 1873″BEERS ATLAS”PORT JEFF/STONY B $19.99

DETAILED ANTIQUE MAP 1873″BEERS ATLAS”GLEN COVE LI,NY $19.99

1873 Michigan Atlas Rare Antique Maps Detroit Original $250.00

1896 Atlas Monroe County Rare Michigan Antique Map $620.00

1915 Atlas Washtenaw County Rare Michigan Antique Map $700.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of Dakotas Rare $48.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of Iowa Rare $48.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of Minnesota Rare $48.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of Indiana Rare $48.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of Massachusetts Rare $48.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of New Hampshire Rare $48.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of New England Rare $43.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of Alabama Rare $48.00

1890 Antique Bradley Atlas Map of Mississippi Rare $48.00

Mitchell’s New General Atlas 1870 Antique Book Map $750.00

ANTIQUE MAP- PHYSICAL – FRANCE – ATLAS MIGEON-1884 $32.50

Rare 1916 Atlas of Lenawee County Antique Maps Michigan $295.00

1888 Pic Atlas Large Antique Map Queensland, Railway $175.00

1888 Pic Atlas Large Antique Map Queensland, Railway $199.00

1886 Pic Atlas Antique Map Northern Territory Australia $135.00

1570 antique atlas ORTELIUS map THEATRUM ORBIS TERRARUM $2.50

1595 MERCATOR ATLAS 107 rare antique world maps old $2.50

1876 antique state atlas 180 maps of INDIANA history $2.50

Antique Atlas Map of Southern South America 1888 Nice $4.95

ImagesCD ANTIQUE Mercator Atlas Maps art engravings $9.99

Stunning Antique Map of NW Iberia. Stieler’s Hand-Atlas $26.25

Antique Stieler Atlas Map of N. Brazil, Guyana, Amazon $20.62

Stieler Hand-Atlas Antique Map of Brazil / Brasil, 1881 $28.12

Stieler Hand-Atlas Antique Map of Brazil / Brasil, 1881 $28.12

17th Century World Map (Antique) Art Poster Print – 36×24 $7.72 17th Century World Map (Antique) Art Poster Print – 36×24…

Antique Style World Map – Poster (Size: 36 x 24) $3.25 World Map (Vintage Style) Art Poster Print – 36×24…

17th Century World Map (Antique) Art Poster Print – 36×24 $7.74 17th Century World Map (Antique) Art Poster Print – 36×24…

Replogle Globes Illuminated Lafayette Globe, Antique Ocean, 16-Inch Diameter $699.99 The antique-ocean Lafayette, standing 33″ tall and featuring illuminated ball, walnut-finish base, and full die-cast meridian, is ideal for chair-side viewing. Aesthetically pleasing and practical, this is a globe to be admired for years to come….

Antique Maps $5.14 Buy and sell [Antique Maps] at great prices.

An Atlas Of Rare City Maps $34.83 Buy and sell [An Atlas Of Rare City Maps] at great prices.

Atlas Of Historical Eclipse Maps $28.77 Buy and sell [Atlas Of Historical Eclipse Maps] at great prices.

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An Atlas Of The Smaller Maps In Orientable And Nonorientable Surfaces $47.41 Buy and sell [An Atlas Of The Smaller Maps In Orientable And Nonorientable Surfaces] at great prices.

2010 Antique Maps Bookmark Calendar $2.64 Buy and sell [2010 Antique Maps Bookmark Calendar] at great prices.

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