MIAMI (January 23, 2017) – The Miami International Map Fair, the longest continuously running map fair in the world, will return to HistoryMiami Museum February 3-5, 2017. Over 35 leading map dealers from across the globe and the United States, including some from Florida, will gather to display and retail an unparalleled selection of original antique maps, charts, town plans and atlases. Thousands of maps from the 16th century to present day, and ranging in price from $25 to over $250,000 will be on display offering something for the first time buyer, as well as the seasoned collector.

One of the rarest maps on display will be the 17th century sea chart of the West Indies printed on vellum and made by cartographers Willem Janszoon Blaeu, Pieter Goos and Johannes Loots. Only two printed productions of this map exist in the world, one is in a library collection in Warsaw and the other will be on display at the Miami International Map Fair. The hand-colored map, drawn in 1695 and priced at a quarter of a million dollars, focuses on the Atlantic Ocean, North America and Africa.

Also for sale, is the rare, inflatable paper globe designed in 1830 by the eccentric inventor George Pocock. Displaying an impressive geographical and political depiction of the world in the 19th century, the globe is property of map dealer Christopher Lane of The Philadelphia Print Shop West. It depicts the British colonies and includes tracks of various voyages of exploration including of John Cabot, James Cook and George Vancouver) and notes of historic interest such as references to the Mutiny on the Bounty, James Cook’s death and Bonaparte’s banishment to St. Helena.

“HistoryMiami is proud to host one of the largest and most prestigious events of its kind in the world, highlighting the history and wonder of cartography,” said Jorge Zamanillo, said President/Chief Executive Officer for HistoryMiami Museum. “Each year, the Map Fair showcases a staggering amount of rare and antique maps – from important historical documents to stunning works of art – that are brilliant examples of human history. Beyond their visual beauty, these maps give collectors and map enthusiasts a profound look into the past.”

Held annually during the first weekend in February, the Miami International Map Fair provides buyers with a weekend to browse antique maps, rare books, globes and atlases from around the world, including some from Australia, United Kingdom and Germany, in addition to attending a series of special topical lectures. This is a unique opportunity to meet experts with an unrivaled depth of knowledge and scope of material.

The 2017 Map Fair speakers include:

  • Saturday, February 4th, 11 a.m.

The History of Celestial Cartography by Dr. Nick Kanasauthor and Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco.

  • Saturday, February 4th3 p.m.

20th Century Pictorial Maps Panel Discussion with:

  • Elisabeth Burdon: Panel Moderator/Map Dealer, OLDIMPRINTS.COM
  • Ronald E. Grim, MA, PhD: Panelist/Presenter, Curator of Maps, The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, Boston Public Library
  • Dr. Stephen Hornsby: Panelist, author and Trustee Professor, University of Maine System
  • Dr. James Utley: Panelist, national speaker, map collector and Senior Medical Director, Aetna
  • Sunday, February 5th, 2 p.m.
    • Annotated Atlases: Unraveling Stories of Personal Provenance by Dr. Ronald E. Grimpanelist and presenter, Curator of Maps, The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, Boston Public Library.

Additionally, the University of Miami Department of Geography and Regional Studies has partnered with the Miami International Map Fair to present interactive digital map demonstrations.

Daily admission to the Map Fair is $20 for adults, children are $5, $15 for HistoryMiami members and $10 for high school and university students with valid school ID.  Full Access Weekend registration is $75 per person for HistoryMiami members and $85 for non-members and includes a VIP Private Preview on Friday, before the fair opens to the public on Saturday, a welcome reception with the map dealers, free admission all weekend to the Dealer Marketplace, free City Tour, expert opinion on one map, lunch each day, all presentations and access to a Friday night cocktail reception and Tropical Cuban Buffet dinner for Full-Access Weekend Registrants and dealers only for $95 per person, in addition to the registration fee.  For the Full Access Weekend package, register here.

Online Weekend Registration and one-day ticket sales are open until February 2, 2017. To purchase one-day tickets online, register here.  One-day tickets will be available at the door.  Fair hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. at HistoryMiami Museum 101 West Flagler Street in downtown Miami. Parking is available at the Cultural Center Parking Garage, 50 NW 2 Avenue.

The Miami International Map Fair sponsors include Miami-Dade County, BrandsMart U.S.A., Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc., Jo Ann and Richard Casten, Ltd., Lewis and Marcia Kanner, Paulus Swaen Internet Auction and Galleries, Tom and Lee Touchton, and The Old Print Shop.

Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are still available, please contact 305-375-1618 or email mapfair@historymiami.org for more information. To register for the Miami International Map Fair or event information, please call 305-375-1618 or email mapfair@historymiami.org. For high-resolution map images and credit information, please email Rachel Castro at rcastro@thedanaagency.com.

About HistoryMiami Museum
HistoryMiami Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the premier cultural institution committed to gathering, organizing, preserving and celebrating Miami’s history as the unique crossroads of the Americas. We accomplish this through education, collections, research, exhibitions, publications and City Tours. Located in the heart of downtown Miami, HistoryMiami Museum is a 70,000 square foot facility and home to more than one million historical images and 30,000 three-dimensional artifacts, including a 1920’s trolley car, artifacts from Pan American World Airways, and rafts that brought refugees to Miami. For more information, call 305-375-1492 or visit historymiami.org.