smenkveld
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posted on May 19, 2003 11:03:02 AM
I just got a huge collection of large maps of all the rivers and waterways in the USA most were printed in the 1880's and 1927 by the government. They are all folded but they are supposed to be rolled. I was going to use an iron to get them to lay flat again but I want to find if there are some tricks to do it right. Most of the maps are 25"x 42" and they are printed on heavy paper and any ideas on how to take pictures of them. Thanks
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sanmar
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posted on May 19, 2003 11:09:37 AM
I would get a large piece of white paper, put that on the map & iron over that. Try a small corner to see if this works. Yes they should have been rolled so there wouldn't be creases. As far as getting photos, I would try tacking one on a wall where you would have good light.
[ edited by sanmar on May 19, 2003 11:11 AM ]
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msincognito
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posted on May 19, 2003 11:31:22 AM
I would NOT mess with them. Old paper is fragile and folding always causes permanent damage that can't be erased. In fact, I suspect you will shorten its lifespan by applying intense heat to it. The most I might do is flatten them by laying heavy books on top of them, but even then I'd check with a paper expert. I'd also keep any handling to an absolute minimum and make sure your hands are always very clean when you touch the paper.
You might also want to say in your auction that they have been folded and what, if anything, you did with them. The people who will pay the best prices for your maps understand that paper will sometimes be folded. They may not bid as much as they might on a map that was stored properly, but it's still better than having them come at you furious because they didn't know they were folded! You'll also increase seller trust if you carefully note every marking, brown spot, etc. on the maps in your auction description.
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eauctionmgnt
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posted on May 19, 2003 11:49:02 AM
I agree completely with msincognito. Don't try to remove the folds as it will only damage the map further. As for picture taking, I would not try to hang it on a wall. You might damage them in the process. It would be best to take pictures of it laying on a flat-surface. To do this, lay it out on a section of your floor, and get a step-ladder. Take the picture from the top of the step ladder so you can fit the entire map in the frame.
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kiara
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posted on May 19, 2003 12:05:26 PM
My advice is to soak the map in your bathtub or swimming pool for at least one day and then hang it in direct sunlight for several days until it dries completely.
Just kidding!! 
When you take pictures also do close-ups of any copyright info and a few other areas so viewers have a better idea of the actual map.
[ edited by kiara on May 19, 2003 12:06 PM ]
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msincognito
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posted on May 19, 2003 12:40:33 PM
Oh, kiara, I wish I'd read your whole post before I started soaking that original copy of the U.S. Constitution I got last week on eBay!
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capotasto
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posted on May 19, 2003 12:49:21 PM
They were folded?
I've never been able to figure out how to fold a map.
Maybe I should just roll them....
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kiara
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posted on May 19, 2003 01:03:41 PM
msincognito, my advice to you is after you remove the copy from the water, lay it out in your driveway and run back and forth over it with one of those heavy equipment steam rollers.
Actually you gave great advice. I think most map buyers realize that some were folded and they sometimes take them to professionals for framing.
[ edited by kiara on May 19, 2003 01:28 PM ]
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msincognito
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posted on May 19, 2003 01:37:51 PM
I'm not entirely sure it's an actual original .... it surely smells old but all the i's are dotted with smiley faces. 
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smenkveld
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posted on May 19, 2003 01:53:28 PM
Thank you for the information I think I'm going to sell them folded up the way they are. I did a search on ebay and several of them have sold for hundreds of dollars each. But I know mine won't bring that kind of money because they are folded but I think I will do pretty good on selling them.
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antique519
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posted on May 19, 2003 02:43:05 PM
I have ironed many paper items with no problem. Just be sure and use a pressing cloth or piece of white paper between the item and the iron and ONLY use a warm iron. It takes a little longer but you don't have to worry about scorching.
Another neat trick with very soiled paper-Rub it with a piece of bread or hamburger bun. Makes a crumby mess but will remove dirt and the little oil in the bread seems to give a little life to the old paper. If you try to use a cloth or eraser it has a tendency to smear but the bread does not. It really brightens up paper that is dusty.
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