Sizes of Antique Maps

Obviously they come in all manner of sizes but there are three main groups all dependent on a single sheet of paper and how it can be folded.

Folio

Refers to maps printed on a complete sheet, generally measuring about 25″ by 20″.

Quarto

Refers to maps printed on one quarter of a sheet , generally about 13″ by 10″.

Octavo

Deals with maps printed on one eighth of a sheet, generally about 7″ by 5″.

There are any number of other sizes, often shown as 12mo or 16mo, used by some of the exquisite miniature maps of the late 1500’s and early 1600’s, generally about 3.5″ by 4.5″.

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