You may have dreamed as a child of finding a “Treasure Map”, like the one in Treasure Island. Such dreams can come true when looking for an old map. With a basic knowledge of history and an interest in finding a deal, one can uncover some real “treasures” on old maps. Maps have been bought for a few dollars that were actually worth the price of a house.

Even if you have been looking for the treasure map for as many years as I have, you may not find it. However, you can easily double or triple your money when you know what to look for on an old map.

Finding the right map can sometimes feel like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. You should start your search by determining a selection of maps that have sold in the last two years for between $500 and $3,000. Start learning about the cartographers and the editions of these maps. You’ll find vintage map sales estimates on major auction sites or even eBay.

Knowledge is key, so you’ll need to learn as much as you can about the individual maps you’re looking for. I suggest you choose a cartography topic or historical period that you are interested in learning about. Consider maps made during the American Civil War, maps of the Republic of Texas, maps of Scotland if you have Scottish ancestry, or maps of Rome if you honeymooned there. For example, your adopted son is from China, so you can focus on the maps of China. The options are limitless. The idea is that within each field there will be some pretty rare and desirable maps that can fetch good money when sold at auction.

Once you are familiar with the current selling price of your map selection, you will need to consider the condition and editions. By this I mean a specific edition, from a specific year for a map in good condition with no rips, water stains, major repairs, and good color.

By the time you’ve done the things outlined above, you’ll have a fair amount of knowledge about the world of ancient maps. You will now begin your quest. In your search, you need to go to all the thrift stores and thrift stores in your area. Visit antique stores and old bookstores and ask if they have old maps. By doing this, you will be able to handle old maps and become familiar with them.

Then I invite you to go online and start looking for your specific maps on the major search engines and try to find your maps. You should ask your questions about condition and editions before purchasing your maps. Try to buy them for half or a third of the price you saw them for at auction. When you put your maps up for sale at auction, you’ll be reaping the rewards and your treasure!