Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on collecting, storage and care of antique prints.

Collecting antique botanical and natural history prints is a pursuit that can strike unexpectedly, and turn into a lifelong passion. Whether you are drawn to a certain type of flower or the work of a particular artist, it is easy to get hooked! The appeal of antique prints is their unique beauty, character and history — traits which can't be found in today's mass produced, mass market art. A beautifully framed antique print displayed in your home is a small piece of history, and a work of art.

At StudioBotanika, we strive to offer the finest prints available. Generally prints over 100 years of age will show some signs of aging; there are many factors which influence print condition, including the type of paper used and how the print was stored (relative humidity levels, etc.). Please see the item description for notes on print condition and review our image scans, which are very detailed.

If you are new to collecting antique prints, you may come across terms such as foxing and toning which are used to describe print condition. Here is a brief glossary of terms:

Toning: This refers to a yellowing, or darkening of the paper, and depends on the type of paper used. Some prints, such as the first editions from William Curtis, were printed on elegant chain-lined paper, which is often a grayish-white in color. It is commonly understood that antique prints will have some normal age toning, but anything beyond that can negatively affect the print's value. It is most important that the image area is clean and free of defects; marginal toning is a minor flaw that is easily matted out during framing.

Foxing: Describes scattered spotting and browning on prints, most likely due to storage in a humid location. Light, isolated foxing is typically not a serious flaw; however, any widespread or heavy foxing can substantially decrease print value and quality. We do not sell prints with any type of widespread foxing. Foxing can be ameliorated through a combination of restoration techniques such as laser or diluted liquid solutions, but this is time consuming and expensive process — it is always best to buy prints which are free from such defects.

Offset: Refers to text offset where ink from the previous page transfers onto the image. The amount of offset can vary from very faint to heavy, and affects image value accordingly. Some prints are known for their characteristic offset or text bleed-through (such as Basilius Besler), but it is preferable for a print to be free of this defect.

Speckling: Tiny dark specks which do not appear to be caused by foxing. Often related to the type of paper and/or printing press used. Generally considered a minor flaw.

Soiling: Describes general issues affecting the print which are not caused by foxing, such as surface dirt, ink smudging, fingerprints, etc. The degree of soiling affects overall print value accordingly.

Paper handling: Describes rough handling of the paper which may result in some damage to the paper; the less the better.

How should I store my antique prints? If you are displaying your prints, proper framing is critical in order to prevent fading, yellowing of the paper and other possible damage. Prints should be archivally mounted on acid-free conservation board under UV glass for optimal protection. [visit our framing section for more details] It is important to realize that antique prints are more delicate than artwork produced today, and thus require more specialized framing techniques to preserve the integrity of the print.

If you are storing many prints as part of a collection, it is recommended to separate the prints so that they are not in direct contact with one another (which can lead to offset or transfer). This can be accomplished by storing individual prints in acid-free sleeves; these should be stored in a covered photo box or flat file (check out Bisley for their excellent flat file cabinets). When handling old prints directly, it is best to wear clean cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils from your skin onto the paper.

Overall, prints should be stored flat, in a temperate environment, while minimizing exposure to 1) air, which can cause the paper to discolor and oxidize volatile color pigments; 2) light, which can fade the prints; 3) excess moisture or humidity, which can cause foxing and paper damage; 4) direct handling, which can damage the paper. Properly cared for, antique prints will offer many years of viewing pleasure.