Where to buy antique maps and prints

Gallery of Prints remains a Filipiniana treasure trove

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FROM the work of cartographers who first charted the Philippines in the 16th century to World War II maps used by Japanese or American forces for wartime strategy, Gallery of Prints has remained a valuable source of antique maps and prints that give insight into Philippine history.

Small wonder historian Ambeth Ocampo is a regular visitor.

Within the gallery’s vast showroom in Parañaque City lies an abundance of original historical printed material about the Philippines, starting with Magellan’s initial visit to the islands in 1521.

Although everything in their care is original, Gallery of Prints keeps their prices appropriately proportionate for local purchase said Amber Imai, gallery supervisor.

“Compared to international trading companies, because almost all our maps are focused on the Philippines, there’s this idea of repatriation, so at least what we offer is accessible for Filipinos,” she told Business World in an exclusive tour of the showroom on Oct. 24.

Maps range in price from P2,000 to P2 million, depending on their age, size, and quality. “We have old stuff from the 1500s, but because of quality, they’re priced very low, due to burnt edges, staining, molds. In good quality, small maps from that time come up to P10,000,” she said.

One of the crown jewels of the collection is the extremely rare, hand-colored copper engraving Terza Tavola or India Orientalis map from 1563, which serves as the Philippines’ “birth certificate,” since it is the first printed Western map showing an iteration of the name “Filipina.”

There’s also the Philippinae Insulae from 1616, the second version of the oldest map showing the Philippines alone. Meanwhile, the sketch of the Manila port from the 1619 Spilberghen expedition offers a rare printed view of Manila Bay, featuring an attacking fleet and a smoking Taal Volcano.