Collecting Old Maps

[DiggerX]

Does anyone else here collect old maps, particularily old topos?

It's amazing how much stuff is on old topos, panoramic maps etc that's missing from modern day maps (including topos).

I collect mostly old topos & panoramas, though I also collect other "specialist" maps, ie old claim maps, mine location maps and the like. I really like the Corps of Engineers maps as well, especially older ones from the coastal areas.

I also collect old nautical charts.

Doc

[jeff of pa]

I collect Old Topo? maps, Lithos, County Atlases, Land (TOWN) Survey, Coal mine Maps etc From the East Central half of Pa. I'v also have Geological Survey Maps & Atlases, & railroad maps from the Late 18 & early 1900's of the area. the Info I can get from them is Priceless

[TOWcritter]

I've based all my site research on old topo maps vs. newer topo maps. They are a wealth of information if you know what you're looking at! And that where the catch comes in. Just a for instance: that's how I found the mill site that I'm woring on. The latest topos don't show anything. 50 year old topos show 1 dot. topo from 1893 shows 2 dots and the old stream bed that was diverted in the later maps. It's that stream bed or rather the lack of it that led me to the old foundations! Always compare same maps of different periods. You'll be surprised at what you find or don't find. Good Hunting!

[Jim Cal]

Digger X, Where do you find old topo maps for sale? Is this something you just have to luck out and find at a rummage or garage sale or are there sources where you can buy the old ones? Thanks, Jim Cal