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About paperhound
How we got here & why we do things a little differently
At paperhound, we are not stuffy, scholarly historians or professors, and we are not wealthy world travelers. We are average Americans who, through a love for geography, history, the humanities and travel fell into this wonderful world of antique maps and prints quite by accident.
In our life BC (before children), we were able to spend a few years doing some traveling. Our passion for collecting (antique paper) sprouted quite accidentally, after purchasing a single original antique map while on vacation in Bermuda. In hindsight, we now realize it wasn’t really that old (1850) by map standards, but we were struck by the detail, the highly decorative nature of the map and the interesting vignettes that bordered it. It told so much more than just where you were or how to get somewhere else. It told a story.
Though we had never been "collectors" of anything before, once we started, there was no stopping us. We began seeking out dealers and collecting originals depicting all kinds of wonderful places and things. Along the way we have learned a lot about spotting reproductions that are being sold as originals, we’ve learned about cartography, exploration, history, heraldry and all kinds of things! There are plenty of people who know more and learn from all whom we encounter. And now nearly 15 years after we purchased our first map, we are up to our "compass roses" in original antique maps and prints! We love it and we’re excited to share our treasures with you. Perhaps you’ll enjoy it as an art and conversation piece in your home or perhaps your first purchase will spark your interest in collecting as well.
When we first thought about selling, our intention was to offer only original antique items. That’s what typical “dealers” do. However, we have realized and believe that everyone deserves a chance to be exposed to and enjoy this amazing art.
That's why we offer reproductions
Over the last 15 years we have learned that not everyone can afford originals and to be honest, not everyone cares whether the image is original or not. In fact, although our home is awash in beautifully, and archivally framed and matted, original maps & prints, we have found that even when we tell people numerous times and in different ways "this is an original antique from 1728", (for example) most people somehow assume we are indicating that it is a reproduction of an original. We believe this stems from the majority of American antique stores where American Civil War items are considered "really old". So telling someone that a map you have hanging in your home predates the American Civil War by about 200 years just doesn’t click right away.
We have also noticed a significant hole in the antique map and print culture. The majority of our contemporaries in the antique map & print business do not offer reproductions. While we do understand their "purist" mentality, and we personally find great value in and choose to collect and display originals in our home, we believe these beautiful pieces of art and history have survived for a reason. They should be shared and enjoyed. And if one has an interest in antique maps and prints, but cannot, or chooses not to, afford an original, we don’t think they should be denied all access to the artwork. We have friends who love our maps and prints, but just don’t "get" our need to have an original. They simply don’t value an original enough to pay for it and so, for them, a reproduction is suits their needs perfectly. And so, as collectors in the business of selling antique paper artwork, we have taken a rather bold step for our industry. We offer both original and reproductions of our original pieces. We hope that those who come to paperhound for our reproductions or receive one of our reproductions as a gift will be inspired to learn about the original images and artists, and perhaps come to enjoy and value the originals as we do.
If you like history, art, the humanities or travel
We expect you’ll have some fun perusing our original and reproduction offerings, as you shop for home décor, birthday, anniversary, corporate, mother/father’s or other holiday day gifts etc. Look closely, consider the details: the fine lines of the engraving itself, the details included in the images, the fact that these images were drawn and then carved by hand (in reverse) onto plates which were then inked and pressed to paper. Amazing!
Oh. Be sure to visit our gift ideas. There we make some suggestions which might help you pair a map or print with the interests of that hard-to-buy-for person. The key word search might also help you locate pieces with certain characteristics or cities. Whether it’s a reproduction or an original that you select, if you spend some time with it, you’re bound to fall in love with these amazing artifacts as we have.
Thank you for visiting!
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