Art Source International

http://www.rare-maps.com/

This American website will be of value to any serious collector of maps, simply for the breadth of information it contains.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The index in the left-hand margin helpfully appears on every page. The place to mine for real nuggets of information about how to acquire or care for maps is Collectors Guide, found under Site Tools. Here, an introductory article fills the centre of the page, with a whole host of sub-links on the right. These include What is Meant by the Term 'Antique Map', Factors Affecting Value and How to Detect Reproductions. Two other sections on this page explore the History of Print Making and offer Time Charts of Historical Cartography.

Other features in the main index include Antique Prints and Vintage Posters (these turn out to be reproduction vintage posters). Scanning the images will reveal that the majority of topographical prints are American, but the site as a whole is well organised and easily used. Medieval Manuscripts is another main-index feature and here genuine leaves from illuminated psalters and the like are offered for sale, at significant prices.

This website has plenty to recommend it from the information point of view, even if it is of less interest to UK-based collectors who wish to purchase.