About

The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. is one of the world's leading specialist shops in antique prints, maps and related books. Our business operates on a philosophy of offering the finest in old art on paper within a rigorously researched historic context.

Galleries

As of November 2010, we now have two galleries, one in Philadelphia and one in Denver.

Our Philadelphia gallery is located on a charming cobblestone corner of historic Chestnut Hill [view watercolor], in the northwest part of Philadelphia. Following easy directions, The Philadelphia Print Shop is convenient to reach by car or public transportation. The shop is about a half-hour (1/2 hr.) train or automobile ride from center city Philadelphia, about two (2) hours by car from New York City and two-and-a-half (2 1/2) hours from Washington, D.C.

Go to the Chestnut Hill web site for other attractions in our Philadelphia neighborhood.
As of April 2012, the parking lots in Chestnut Hill are monitored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and payment is made using the kiosks located in each lot. Visit YouTube to see an instructional video about using the kiosks.

Our Western gallery The Philadelphia Print Shop West is located in another charming shopping district, the Cherry Creek North section of Denver, Colorado. It is easy to drive to the shop from downtown Denver or either I70 or I25, following simple directions, and there is plenty of on-street parking available (call 303-322-4757 to see if one of the spots right by the shop is available!). The shop is about a 30 minute drive from the airport or a 15 minute drive from downtown Denver.

Go to the Cherry Creek North web site for other shopping and attractions in our Denver neighborhood.

Visitors to both of our shops are welcome to browse through our collection of over 20,000 antique maps and prints, or to view our impressive array of related reference works, rare plate books and atlases. Our knowledgeable staff is always pleased to discuss any aspect of antique prints and maps, or offer advice on any questions you might have.

Hours

The Philadelphia branch is open from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Holiday Hours before December 25: Sundays 11 to 5 and Wednesdays (December 5, 12 and 19) until 9 p.m.

The Denver branch is open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.

If you will be in either city and would like to visit outside of normal hours, please feel free to call in order to set up a special appointment. We are closed most major holidays.

History

The Philadelphia Print Shop, founded by partners Donald H. Cresswell and Christopher W. Lane, first opened its doors in September, 1982. The two partners came to the antique print and map business by very different paths. Don Cresswell had worked at the Library of Congress on its collection of Revolutionary War prints and was a college librarian before working as a cataloguer and salesman for Graham Arader. Chris Lane was working on his Ph.D. thesis in Philosophy when he decided to take a hiatus to research and pursue his hobby of collecting antique maps and prints. Chris and Don started their own business a year later, in order to pursue their common interest in antique prints and maps. In just one year we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary!

In 2010, Chris's wife, Dr. J. Lindsey Lane, was offered a job at Denver Children's Hospital that she couldn't pass up, so Don and Chris decided they would open a new branch there, The Philadelphia Print Shop West, which had its Grand Opening on November 19, 2010.

From the beginning Don and Chris have focused on providing an extensive collection of prints and maps of all kinds, well researched and fairly priced. They have worked happily with institutions, beginning and advanced collectors, those interested in decoration for their home or office, and those looking for an unusual gift. The Print Shop has regularly issued informative catalogues on different topics, including Americana, natural history, maps, genre prints, and fine art prints. The staff has now grown to nine from a business initially consisting solely of the two partners.

The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. exhibits at many of the finest antique shows around the country, and Don and Chris appear as expert appraisers on the popular PBS television program The Antiques Road Show.

Inventory

Our inventory encompasses a wide selection of original prints, maps and books from the 15th through the 19th centuries. These include woodcuts, engravings and lithographs, many with original hand coloring, ranging in price from $25 to $125,000. A major part of our inventory is our selection of Philadelphiana, including views, portraits, maps and books relating to Philadelphia and its history. Our natural history selection is also particularly strong, including images of flowers, birds, fish, quadrupeds, and many other aspects of the natural world. Amongst the naturalists represented are Audubon, Catesby, Curtis, Wilson, Redouté and Ehret. Our stock also includes fine art, genre, Americana, historical, American Indian, and sporting prints. These include images printed in America and Europe, by such publishers, artists and firms as Currier & Ives, Catlin, Bodmer, Boydell, and Trumbull. We also carry one of the country’s broadest inventories of antique maps and views of all parts of the world, with special emphasis on America. Cartographers represented include Sebastian Munster, Abraham Ortelius, Gerard Mercator and Willem Blaeu; and view makers include John Hill, William Bennett and William Bartlett. Our book offerings include scarce travels and histories, beautiful color plate books and one of the widest selections of reference books on prints and maps available anywhere.

Related Services

Besides our extensive inventory, The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. offers a complete range of complementary services, including restoration, conservation, hand binding, appraisals and research. All these services are provided to the highest standards demanded by museums and collectors. We are happy to discuss, give estimates and offer advice with respect to any of these services.

Events

We have a page specifically dedicated to the antique shows at which we exhibit.

Clients may also sign up for our newsletter to be kept up-to-date on other events and our changing inventory.

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To Contact Us; call, write, fax or e-mail to:

PPS Logo
8441 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118 USA
(215) 242-4750 [Phone]
(215) 242-6977 [Fax]
PhilaPrint@PhilaPrintShop.com