Resources for Collectors

by The Philadelphia Print Shop July 1, 2021

Collector's Corner

We are happy to provide historic information and educational resources for collectors and those interested in learning more.

Antique Print Sites

American Historical Print Collectors Society

This is an informative website for an excellent historical organization that everyone interested in American historical prints should join!

Print Council of America

The Print Council of America is a non-profit organization that includes an excellent on-line bibliographic database for printmakers. The Print Council focuses mostly on fine art printmakers, however it is quality site for overall general information.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Reading Room

The home page of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, includes ability to do an on-line search of their catalogue of prints!

Currier & Ives Foundation

This foundation is dedicated to the furthering understanding and preservation of Currier & Ives prints. The site was created by later-generation relatives of the original Nathaniel Currier and James Ives.

Thomas Bewick

An excellent educational website filled with illustrations and fascinating information about the great wood engraver, Thomas Bewick.

National Portrait Gallery

This superb collection includes many historical prints.

American Antiquarian Society

View the AAS home page and access information on the AAS and its collections.

Antique Map Sites

History of Cartography

Intended to be the central Internet hub for those interested in antique maps.

The History of Cartography Project

An excellent site about this important publishing project.

A Guide to Recent Trends in the History of Cartography

Fine bibliography covering cartographic history and trends.

The David Rumsey Collection

A high quality private collection of maps with excellent digital images.

Calendar of Cartography Exhibitions

This website link contains a digital calendar listing dates for upcoming exhibitions and Online events.

Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress

Official Library of Congress website information and map collection.

The Harvard Map Collection

This is one of the major map libraries in the U.S.

American Geographical Society Cartographic Collection

The American Geographical Society Library (AGSL), one of the premier collections of its kind in North America, contains over 1.3 million items supporting instruction, research and outreach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and around the world.

The Newberry Library Cartographic Collections

This is a very useful site which includes excellent information in the Concise Bibliography of the History of Cartography.

Osher Map Library & Smith Center for Cartographic Education

The Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education at the University of Southern Maine enables free public access to and engagement with five centuries of cartographic materials via University, K-12, and public educational outreach; the preservation and digitization of our collections; gallery exhibitions; research and scholarship; and public programming that collectively promotes the continued relevance of maps and mapping as tools to help patrons understand the past and the present, and to imagine the future.

British Library Map Collections

The British Library provides access to the world’s most comprehensive research collection over 170 million items includes artifacts from every age of written civilization.

Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at the University of Texas

This is a quality resource library to research various information including maps.

New York Public Library Charting America: Lawrence H. Slaughter Collection

Founded in 1895, NYPL is the nation’s largest public library system and a wonderful resource for map history and information.

So Much More Than Just a Map: Perspective on Louisiana and the New World

This is an excellent online map exhibit containing very useful information and a quality collection of images.

Collector's Care Guide

Library of Congress - Care for Your Collection

The Library of Congress has very useful information on caring for all sorts of collections.

American Institute for Conservation - Caring for Your Documents & Art on Paper

The American Institute for Conservation's web page on conserving paper artifacts.

Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute - Taking Care of Artifacts and Collectibles

A page of links to brochures from the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute on taking care of works on paper, as well as paintings, objects and furniture.