The Miami International Map Fair

- by Bruce E. McKinney

A Destination Map Fair

In February, the Miami International Map Fair turns 25! It is the longest running map fair in the world. We invite you to celebrate this anniversary with us.  Immerse yourself in a world of exquisite antique maps, rare antiquarian books, and colorful atlases! Discover antiquities and more modern treasures presented by the finest map dealers around the globe.

 

So say the folks organizing this year’s Miami event and I fully agree.  Over what is expected to be a balmy weekend in Miami the first weekend of February, the 3rd and 4th, a very robust crowd of map lovers and cognoscenti will converge on 101 West Flagler Street for two days of repartee, browsing, listening, and transactions as beautiful maps are displayed, coveted, explained and purchased.  This is an event that many look forward to as an excuse, if any is needed, to be in Miami when winter is digging in its claws into New England and the Midwest.  The only difficult step to take is going home, although for dealers, many will quickly pack up and head to Pasadena, California, to their convention center, for the ABAA’s Fair.  The winter season is under way.

 

Here are the exhibitors after which are listed the show’s events.

 

 Alexandre Antique Prints, Maps & Books  – Canada

Altea Gallery, London – United Kingdom

Antiquariat Reinhold Berg eK – Germany

Antique Maps and Atlases, LLC – United States

Antique Maps & Prints – Western Australia

Antique Sommer KG – Germany

Arader Galleries – United States

Ashman Antique Nautical Paper – United States

Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps, Inc. – United States

BICKERSTAFF’S Books, Maps &c. – United States

Boston Rare Maps – United States

Clive A. Burden, Ltd. – United Kingdom

Daniel Crouch Rare Books – United Kingdom

Geographicus Rare Antique Maps – United States

HJB Maps (Harlan J. Berk) – United States

High Ridge Books, Inc. – United States

Jo Ann & Richard Casten, Ltd. – United States

Jonathan Potter, Ltd. – United Kingdom

Martayan Lan Fine Antique Maps -United States

McDonough Fine Art – United States

Neatline Antique Maps – United States

New World Maps, Inc. – United States

Old World Auctions – United States

Paulus Swaen Internet Auction Gallery – United States

SANDERUS – Belgium

The Map Chest – United States

The Map House of London – United Kingdom

The Old Map Gallery, Inc. – United States

The Old Print Shop – United States

The Philadelphia Print Shop West – United States

Thomas Suarez Rare Maps – United Kingdom

Vetus Carta – Canada

 

 

Map Fair schedule:

Friday, February 2 (Full Access Weekend Registrants/Dealers Only)

5:30 pm – VIP Private Cocktail Reception and preview of Antillean Visions: Maps & the Making of the Caribbeanat Lowe Art Museum.

This year, HistoryMiami Museum will not hold a VIP Preview on Friday at the Map Fair.

Saturday, February 3

9 am -10 am – Map Fair VIP Preview (Full Access Weekend Registrants Only)

10 am – 5 pm – Map Fair open to public

  • Map Fair: Dealer Marketplace
  • Free expert opinion (Limited to one map per visitor)
  • 11 am – Speaker: Chet Van Duzer – Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps
  • 3 pm – Speaker: Neal Asbury – Why I Collect Maps and What I Have Learned
  • 5 pm – Map Fair closes
  • 5 pm to 7 pm – VIP cocktail reception (Full Access Weekend Registrants Only)

Sunday, February 4

10 am – 4 pm – Map Fair open to public

  • Map Fair: Dealer Marketplace
  • Free expert opinion (Limited to one map per visitor)
  • 2 pm – Speaker: Neil Safier – From the Andes to the Amazon: A Librarian’s Life in Maps
  • 4 pm – Map Fair closes

 

Full Access Weekend Registration

Museum Members: $75

Non-Members: $85

Includes Friday and Saturday VIP cocktail receptions, Saturday 9 am VIP Preview, lunch, weekend admission for Dealer Marketplace, expert opinions and expert presentations.