Just How Much Are Ancient World Maps Worth?

I lately bought an ancient world map at a local yard sale. After a few hours of touring a number of neighborhoods for miscellaneous items to use for decor in my home, I happened upon a relatively unattractive print in a beautiful frame.

My companions scoffed at the item as I brought it to its owner to inquire about the price. My friends could not believe that I was going to buy a nasty old picture of a barn. The print was out in the sun too long over a long period of time. The colors were faded and the general quality of the print was lacking. Though, the ancient world map beneath was well-protected.

I had no idea that the ancient world map was even under the print at the time. I can't really tell what possessed me to ask for a price. The lady selling the piece laughed and said that her family owes her dinner. They bet that no one would buy the print at all.

Actually, I really wanted the frame, I guess. The frame was in excellent condition and I liked the old-world style the object presented. An ancient world map would suit the frame much better than a crummy old barn. The barn had once been red but presently only small fragments of the bright color existed. It had been so faded and poorly treated that it was literally wasting away to nothing.

That didn't matter to me. The lady asked for five dollars and reminded me of the attractive frame. The frame alone was well worth five dollars if not more. I figured that I could use the frame for one of my own drawings or for one of my own photographs. Who knows? I might have found the perfect print to go with the frame at our next stop.

I took the lady's offer without hesitation. She was surprised and my friends were shocked. If any of them had known that there was an ancient world map nestled under the old print they would all have had a different attitude about my aquire. At the time I only wanted the piece for some unknown reason.

Maybe I felt sorry for the poor print and figured that it desired to be put out of its misery. I might have fallen in love with the frame. The frame was nice, but not really anything to make me swoon. There may have been an underlying realization that there was something special about the object.

There definitely was something very special about the object. The ancient world map is a very well-preserved collector's item that is worth much, much more than five dollars. How much? I'll never tell. I just strongly urge you to follow your instincts when shopping at garage sales.

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About the author

Mitch Hampson writes for Antique

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