Therefore, if the map is green and there s no green on the reverse, it s probably not the original color. Concentrate on maps of areas or attractiveness that are of interest to you. That advice may seem obvious, but a beginning collector can be easily swayed. Simply ask the map dealer for maps in your area of interest. If you love Alaska maps, for example, ask for them.
Prices vary widely.
As in any other purchase, study the field by reading and viewing as many maps as possible before you buy. The last decade has seen an enormous rise in prices, as the rare and then the more common atlases have been in short supply. The best aspect of the steady rise in prices is that maps have turned out to be a good investment for many collectors. Don t plunge into expensive maps for your first purchases. As time goes on you will hear and read about more important maps, such as the Imperial Academy s first chart of explorer Vitus Bering s second voyage, and the thrill of discovering it one day will be worth the wait.