Antique Map of the Central United States, Chicago to Denver, Rand McNally, 1899
By Rand McNally & Co.
Located in Langweer, NL
By the 1890s it was among the leading map publishers in the United States, known for railroad and commercial maps revised with each new issue.
Paper
Antique Street Map of Chicago, with the Loop and Lakefront, Rand McNally, 1899
By Rand McNally & Co.
Located in Langweer, NL
By the 1890s the firm was one of the leading map publishers in the United States, and this sheet belongs squarely to the railroad and commercial maps it was known for, revised from i...
Paper
Historic 1864 Civil War Era Map of Canada with Great Lakes Detail
Located in Langweer, NL
The map meticulously illustrates the region of Canada, focusing on British North America (modern-day Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces), showcasing counties, towns, railroa...
Paper
Civil War Era Map of Kentucky and Tennessee with Scenic Insets, Published 1864
Located in Langweer, NL
The map intricately details the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, showcasing counties, towns, railroads, and geographical features of the period.
Paper
Plan of Cincinnati Map, USA c.1870 – Hand-Colored Street Plan with Wards
Located in Langweer, NL
It shows the detailed layout of Cincinnati, Ohio, with its wards shaded in pastel pink, green, yellow, and blue wash colors. The map details streets, railroads, canals, bridges, and...
Paper
Franklin Valley, Great Basin Nevada – Beckwith Survey Engraving, c.1855
Located in Langweer, NL
This important government-sponsored expedition aimed to map potential railroad routes across the American West, resulting in some of the most visually compelling and historically sig...
Paper
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
It’s never too early for good design. These interiors combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit, resulting in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical.
Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.
New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.