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
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
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
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.