In addition to aesthetic value, many collectors find cultural and historical value in antique globes and maps.

According to Chris Ball, an appraiser for St. Petersburg-based Burchard Galleries, people appreciate these types of antiques because they allow viewers to return to an era of exploration and to discover how others once navigated the open seas.

“You can go back in time and imagine being on one of Hernando de Soto’s ships,” Ball explained. “Before the advent of planes and flights, sailors never had a true photo of the places they were going, so maps and globes harken back to a time when people had to make discoveries on their own.”

The most valuable globes and maps were created during the 1500s and 1600s, the early ages of exploration. Many were not dated, but buyers can research the former names of countries and the method by which the item was printed.

Because globes and maps can be quickly and cheaply reproduced, Ball suggests paying careful attention to the type of material with which the antique was made. For example, an engraved map is a good indicator of an early map, and they usually include the name of the engraver and cartographer.

Finally, a good rule of thumb for assessing the value of early globes and maps is that older items are more of value, but collectors also like to hunt down terrestrial and celestial maps from the same time period.

“You can get a glimpse of the sea as well as the stars above,” Ball said.

Chris Ball, appraiser, www.burchardgalleries.com