Antique Books & Maps Worth Collecting: Giftex Auction Guide

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Imagine a well-lit, cosy room, filled with books, waiting to be discovered. For antique book lovers, this is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. 

The scent of aged paper, the intricate detail of an engraved plate, the weight of history in your hands—these are the sensory hallmarks that deepen the allure of rare books.

Antique books embody the intersection of history, craftsmanship, and cultural memory, turning paper and ink into artefacts of lived experience. For collectors, each volume becomes a portal to its era—an object that preserves both ideas and the artistry of bookmaking.

Collecting rare books is more than a hobby; it is a dedicated form of cultural preservation, and for many, a deep, personal passion. The collecting community is vibrant, and the thrill of the chase—the possibility of discovering a rare first edition, an association copy, or a beautifully illustrated work—is what drives collectors.

With the advent of technology, online auction houses like Giftex have become the preferred choice for obtaining antique and vintage books for many collectors.

Giftex, a name long associated with quality and curation in the world of antique collectibles, continues to unearth and present rare treasures for discerning collectors.

Their upcoming online auction in October 2025 promises a breathtaking collection of rare books and historical manuscripts, offering collectors a chance to acquire works of significant historical and artistic merit.

In this blog, we’ll explore the allure of rare books, uncover what draws collectors to them, and give you a preview of a few standout lots featured in the upcoming auction

Also Read: The Timeless Charm of Rare Books

Allure of Rare Books

1. Uncovering History

When you hold an antique book, you are holding a piece of history. these books serve as a direct link to the bygone eras. 

2. Masterful Artistry

Many antique books showcase exquisite craftsmanship in their bindings, typography, and illustrations, representing the artistry of their creators.  

3. Unique Aesthetics

Their aesthetic qualities, including worn pages, aged paper, and ornate covers, provide a distinct look and feel that modern furnishings cannot replicate. 

4. The Collector’s Journey

The search for these rare treasures is often compared to a treasure hunt, a process that adds to the overall allure and personal satisfaction of collecting. 

5. Personal Resonance

Collectors often form personal connections with antique books based on childhood memories, family history, or other themes, making the collection a deeply personal endeavour. 

Featured Treasures of the Giftex Auction

Here is a glimpse of some antique books that will be available at the upcoming books auction at Giftex.

1. Hindoostan by Frederick Shoberl (6 Volumes, 104 Engravings)

Few works capture the fascination with India during the early 19th century quite like Frederick Shoberl’s Hindoostan.

Hindoostan is a major contribution to the study of the encounter between Europeans and non-Europeans in the early colonial period. 

These are the six volumes on India that offer a detailed description of religion, manners, customs, trade, and the arts prevailing in that period.

Engravings: The work is made more alluring by the presence of 104 engravings, which are works of art in themselves, meticulously executed and hand-coloured to bring scenes of Indian life to European audiences.

For collectors, Shoberl’s work represents two things:

• Cultural Documentation – It reflects the Western gaze on India at the time, recording observations that mix accuracy with exoticism. 
• Artistic Value – The engravings are collectible in their own right. Many were executed by leading artists of the period and showcase early 19th-century printing techniques.

Owning Hindoostan is not just about holding a book; it’s about holding a multi-volume gallery of India in print. 

2. Ladakh by Alexander Cunningham (1854)

Sir Alexander Cunningham is a name every serious collector of South Asian antiquarian books knows. Often referred to as the “Father of Indian Archaeology,” Cunningham combined the eye of an explorer with the mind of a scholar. His work, Ladakh, provides a comprehensive account of Ladakh based on two trips Cunningham made to the region in 1846 and 1847. The book covers the geography, people, history, language, religion, customs, flora, fauna, and administration of Ladakh.

This book is significant for several reasons:

• Historical Importance – It provides one of the earliest English-language descriptions of Ladakh, its geography, trade routes, and political connections with Tibet and Central Asia.
• Exploration Literature – Travel narratives from this period were as thrilling to 19th-century readers as space exploration is today. Cunningham’s text blends discovery with careful observation.
• Scholarly Authority – His early work carries weight as the foundation of modern South Asian studies.

3. Photographs and Drawings of Historical Buildings of India by W. Griggs (1896)

Inventor of a process of chromolithography, also known as photo-chromo-lithograph, William Griggs was associated with the India Office and made outstanding book productions for which he produced coloured illustrations, including many works about Indian and Oriental artefacts.

His 1896 publication Photographs and Drawings of Historical Buildings of India is a monumental work, containing 100 plates that showcase the architectural heritage of the subcontinent.

Why is this book extraordinary?

• Visual Documentation – At a time when photography was still in its early decades, Griggs captured temples, palaces, mosques, and forts with extraordinary clarity. His plates preserve details of monuments that have since weathered or been altered.
• Decorative Binding – The original binding is itself a collector’s delight, reflecting the grandeur of the subject matter. Antique bindings, especially decorative ones, add significant value to rare books
• Scholarly Resource – Art historians and architects continue to reference Griggs’s work for its accuracy and artistic merit.

For a collector, this book is both beautiful and authoritative—a rare combination that makes it a top contender in the Giftex auction

4. Journal of a Voyage: Madras and China by James Wathen (1814)

James Wathen, a topographic draughtsman, travelled to parts of Britain and sailed to India and China.

In 1811, he sailed to India and China with Captain James Pendergrass, an old school friend, the voyage resulting in the work presented at this auction: Journal of a Voyage: Madras and China by James Wathen

Illustrated with 24 aquatint plates, the book offers a vivid look at maritime journeys and cross-cultural encounters in the early 19th century

Its significance lies in several areas:

• Aquatint Illustrations – Aquatint was a specialized technique that allowed for nuanced shading, giving plates a watercolour-like effect. These 24 plates are highly collectible for their artistic execution.
• Trade and Travel – The text provides firsthand accounts of maritime life, colonial trade, and encounters with Asian societies at a time when global commerce was transforming the world.
• Early Publication Date – Originally printed in 1814, this book belongs to the golden age of exploration literature, predating much of the Victorian travel boom

Collectors seek Wathen’s work for both its narrative charm and its visual richness.

5. Indian Sea Chart by Hendrick Doncker (circa 1658)

Hendrick Doncker, born in Amsterdam, was part of the city’s lively book trade.

This sea chart of the western Indian Ocean, published by Hendrick Doncker in Amsterdam, depicts the maritime routes between the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Comorin in India.

The decorative cartouche in the lower-left corner, surrounded by exotic creatures, reinforces the mystique and dangers associated with long-distance oceanic voyages.

Here’s why it matters:

• Maritime History – This chart illustrates how Dutch navigators saw the world during the height of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) trading empire.
• Cartographic Art – Antique sea charts are valued for their combination of accuracy, artistry, and nautical ornamentation. Doncker’s works are prized by collectors and museums alike.

This sea chart is not just a map—it’s an artefact that tells the story of Europe’s maritime expansion and its ties with Asia.

Bidding Tactics for Collectors

As Giftex’s auction approaches, here are some practical bidding strategies:

• Research Beforehand – Know the estimated value of each lot. Compare recent auction results for similar titles.
• Set a Limit – Decide your maximum bid before the auction starts and stick to it. Anticipation can lead to overbidding.
• Look for Completeness – Ensure that all plates, maps, or volumes are present. Missing elements can significantly affect value.
• Condition Matters – Original bindings, clean pages, and intact illustrations always fetch higher prices.
• Start Strong, End Stronger – Place an early bid to show interest, but reserve your main push for the final moments. Online auctions often see a flurry of last-minute bids.

The Timeless Charm of Rare Books

The upcoming Giftex online auction promises to be a landmark event for collectors of antique books and maps. From Shoberl’s richly illustrated Hindoostan to Doncker’s 17th-century sea chart, the lots on offer span centuries of history and artistry

For newcomers, this is a chance to begin a collection with works of lasting significance. For seasoned collectors, it’s an opportunity to acquire rarities that seldom appear on the market.

Antique books are more than possessions—they’re companions across time. They remind us that knowledge, art, and exploration are as much about memory as they are about discovery.