How do repairs or restoration affect the value of a map?
Minor repairs and restorations to antique maps are becoming increasingly common. While we would all like to purchase only perfect examples of antique maps, there are many nice examples which have minor flaws, a small tear, a wormhole, minor staining or foxing, a narrow margin, or some other imperfection, which are still very collectable. The value of a map is market driven. If there are lots of nice examples of a map on the market, a minor restoration may mean a significant devaluation. On the other hand, for a rare map which is rarely on the market, minor restorations are much less of an issue. Restoration work certainly does not inherently reduced the value of a map if it is properly done. Almost invariably, it enhances the value. While the repaired or restored map may be worth less than a perfect example, the issue is always one of degree. A repaired tear or narrow margin may reduce the value of a map by 10-20%. A significant facsimile addition or more serious tears may reduce the v
