Terms & Conditions
Overview
Welcome and Definitions
Welcome to this website. It is owned and operated by Compass Antique Maps.
Throughout this website, the terms “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Compass Antique Maps. The terms “you” and “your” refer to the viewer or user of our website.
The use of this website, including purchases made from it, is subject to the following terms and conditions (“our terms and conditions”). Please read these carefully before viewing or using our website.
Whole Agreement
Our terms and conditions, together with our privacy policy, and our copyright policy, govern your relationship with us in relation to this website and represent the whole agreement between you and us concerning your access to, and use of, our website. They apply to all users of our website.
Amendment of Terms
We reserve the right to change our terms and conditions at any time. Please check them regularly prior to using our website to ensure you are aware of any changes and you understand the exact terms and conditions applicable to your purchase, which will be those in effect at the date of your order. If you order items after we have published changes to our terms and conditions, you will be bound by those changes.
We will display the date when our terms and conditions were most recently updated, and we will endeavour to highlight any significant changes to you where possible.
No waiver of any of our terms and conditions shall be effective unless confirmed by us in writing.
Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for any delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of our obligations under our terms and conditions if such delay or failure is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
In cases of delay, and where circumstances permit, we shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of time for the performance of such obligations.
Website
Website Use
By continuing to access our website, including using it and purchasing from it, you agree to comply with, and be bound by, our terms and conditions, our privacy policy, and our copyright policy. If you disagree with any part of these, then you may not continue to access, or use, our website, including purchasing from it.
Our website is subject to change without notice. Any changes to it shall also be subject to our terms and conditions, the most current version of which you can review at any time on this page.
We reserve the right to deny any person access to our website at our sole discretion.
Website Disclaimer
While we strive to keep our website and its content accurate, current, and error free, we make no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy, completeness, functioning or reliability, or its suitability for your purposes.
Your use of our website, and any reliance on any of the aforementioned aspects is at your own risk. You accept full responsibility for any consequences from your use of our website and for ensuring that your use of it meets your needs.
Website Availability
We make every effort to maintain the availability and smooth running of our website. However, we take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, our website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
Other Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not under our control, and we take no responsibility for their content, availability, or the views expressed within them. The inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement or approval by us. We provide these links solely for convenience, and they do not signify sponsorship or a formal arrangement with the website owners. We also accept no responsibility for any information or advice provided by third parties, as we are not offering advice or endorsing any content on linked websites.
Liability Limitation
We disclaim all liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of our website. Our liability is limited to refunds.
Purchases
Authenticity
Physical Items
All items offered are guaranteed to be authentic prints or manuscripts made at, or near, the given date. We only sell genuine antique items – no restrikes, reproductions, or any other type of modern copy.
If you would like your purchase to be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, please let us know at the end of checkout. In the “Additional Instructions or Comments” field, simply specify whether you prefer to receive a certificate softcopy (e-mailed to you) or a hardcopy (sent with your order).
Digital Images
For many of the prints and manuscripts we offer, you can order ultra-high-resolution downloadable digital images. These allow for deep zooming and high-fidelity viewing on a laptop or desktop computer, and can also be printed to a fine-art reproduction standard.
Our digital images are professional scans of the underlying authentic prints or manuscripts. They offer a digital resolution of 600 pixels per inch (PPI), with strict global photometric adjustments applied to ensure digital colours accurately mirror the physical object. No local digital restorations or structural alterations have been performed.
For professional users, such as publishers and institutions, customised solutions catering to their specific requirements are available.
For more technical details on digital images, and terms and conditions applying to their purchase, please see detailed description under each respective item.
Digital images are not available for purchase for some items due to copyright restrictions or low image quality.
Descriptions
Size
Size is provided for the printed image (measured from neatline to neatline) as well as for the sheet. It is given in centimetres and inches, width before height.
Platemark dimensions are available on request.
Colour
As a standard, we state whether an item is uncoloured, hand coloured, or features printed colour.
We do not typically date the colouring, as this is frequently difficult to establish with certainty and because of the often-ambiguous use of related terminology in the marketplace.
Please contact us if you require further information on the colour of an item.
Condition
All items are in very good condition, unless stated otherwise. In general, this means that they show no noticeable imperfections in the image, in addition to featuring a strong impression, sound paper, and intact margins.
Our high-resolution, zoomable images are accompanied by clear condition descriptions, together providing a thorough visual and verbal representation of each map or print offered.
We do not use a grading system, as these vary across the marketplace in respect to how they define and apply grades. Instead, we aim to describe each item offered as accurately as possible. This includes mention of any noticeable imperfections as well as any restorations evident.
Please ask us if you would like to know more about the condition of an item.
Provenance
We only make provenance claims where we can back these up with evidence.
We only sell ex-library items from currently operating libraries where we are able to prove that the item has been formally deaccessioned.
Availability
All items are offered subject to prior sale.
As we are dealing in unique antique items, our stock is constantly changing. Please talk to us if you would like us to source another example of an already sold item or if you are after something else of your interest. You can also leave us a want.
Orders
You can order via this website or by e-mail, telephone, or postal mail.
We will confirm to you by e-mail that we have received your order and that we are processing it.
Once we have shipped your order, you cannot cancel it. However, you are free to return it, in line with our returns policy.
We provide high-resolution, zoomable images and clear condition descriptions for all items we offer. For this reason, we do not sell “on approval”. Please contact us if you require more information about an item.
Gifts
Gift Vouchers
If you would like to gift someone an antique map or print but don’t know which one to choose, you can order from our range of e-gift vouchers.
Our gift vouchers have no expiry date, can be redeemed online, and may be used for multiple transactions until the balance is zero. If a purchase exceeds the voucher value, the balance is payable at checkout. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash. You can e-mail them to yourself or straight to the recipient, along with a personalised message.
Please allow up to 24 hours for your e-gift voucher to become active.
You can check your unused e-gift voucher balance by contacting us.
Gift Wrapping
If you would like your purchase gift wrapped, please indicate this when ordering. Simply choose “Make it a Gift”, next to the item in your shopping cart. This service is free.
Gift Message
If you have chosen your purchase to be gift wrapped, you can also include a personalised message. A card with your message will accompany the item. This service is free.
Prices
All our prices are in US dollars and are subject to change.
Prices shown in other currencies are only indicative.
“Get 20% off your first order when joining our updates! Subscribe now!” offer applicable to new customers only. Discount automatically applied at checkout.
Prices do not include shipping fees, which will be added during checkout. You will be able to see shipping options and fees before any final commitment to buy, by entering your destination country or territory on the Checkout page.
“Enjoy free insured shipping worldwide on all items.” offer applicable as shown at checkout. Paid upgrades available, subject to destination.
Payment
Payments are processed in US dollars.
You will be able to choose your payment method during checkout.
We accept payment by credit card (Visa, Master Card), through PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, or via bank transfer. For in-person purchases, we also accept cash.
If you pay by credit card, you authorise us to debit your card with the total amount of your purchase, including shipping costs.
If your credit card is denominated in a currency other than US dollars, the actual amount charged to it may vary, depending on the exchange rate and conversion fees applied by your card issuer.
If the transaction using your credit card cannot be processed, your order will be cancelled.
If you pay via bank transfer, we will e-mail you an invoice with payment instructions.
Ownership
Transfer of Ownership
All items remain the property of Compass Antique Maps until payment for them has been received in full.
Copyright Acquisition
We do not make any representation that, as part of a purchase from our website, you will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to the respective item.
Packaging
Depending on the items in your order, we expertly pack these either flat, sandwiched between sheets of preservation-grade paper and multiple layers of cardboard, or rolled, in sturdy carboard tubes.
We pack with utmost care and use – as far as possible – recycled and recyclable materials. Aside of end caps for the tubes, we do not use any other type of plastic, such as foam sheets or wrap, bubble wrap, air pillows, polystyrene sheets or packing peanuts, or plastic packaging tape or strapping.
Shipment
Physical Items
We ship worldwide, using Australia Post and DHL, subject to destination.
Deliveries to P.O. boxes are not possible.
During checkout, you will be able to choose between shipping options available for your destination. The “Enjoy free insured shipping worldwide on all items” offer is applicable as shown at checkout. Paid upgrades are available, subject to destination. Shipping times shown at this stage are indicative only, subject to change, and not guaranteed. The shipping fee for your chosen shipping option will be added to the total price of the items in your shopping cart. You will then be able to confirm the total amount payable, before proceeding to payment.
Your items are shipped after payment for them has been received in full, including shipping fees.
Typically, we ship within one business day of you placing your order.
We will confirm shipment by e-mail to you. This will also include the tracking number, allowing you to follow the progress of your shipment online.
All shipments require a signature on delivery.
Digital Images
Within one business day of your purchase, you will receive a link via e-mail, allowing you to securely download the image file to your computer. As your purchase is entirely digital, no physical item will be shipped to you.
Insurance
Your shipment is insured for damage or loss in transit. Cover is provided for the full purchase value of your items.
The insurance is provided at our expense.
If you receive your package damaged, we will provide you with a full refund, upon you returning the affected items to us. For your damage claim to be honoured, you must fully and accurately document the damage, and lodge the claim with us within seven days of receipt of your shipment.
If your shipment is lost, we will provide you with a full refund. For your claim for loss to be honoured, you must lodge it with us within three months of the shipment date, as confirmed through our respective e-mail.
Duties & Taxes
Any applicable duties and other customs and import charges, as well as taxes, are to be paid by the customer to the relevant authorities and/or carriers, except for customers residing in Australia. For these, 10% Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) will be added automatically during checkout.
You are responsible for paying any such dues in a timely manner. If any of these are not paid on time, you will be responsible for any resulting actions or charges that may occur, such as a return-to-sender shipment or an abandonment of shipment, including all related costs. If, as a result of any such actions, you do not come into possession of your purchase, we will not be able to provide you with a refund.
Relevant duties and other customs and import charges, as well as taxes, such as Value-Added Tax (“VAT”) or comparable consumption taxes, vary from location to location. For the regulations applying to your shipment destination, please consult the respective customs office and/or tax or other relevant authorities.
As far as possible, and as a courtesy only, we are happy to provide you with an estimate of said duties, charges, and taxes, applicable to your shipment destination, upon request. We provide this as a free, non-binding service, for which we cannot accept liability.
Returns
Physical Items
Your satisfaction is our priority. We guarantee the authenticity of the items we offer and their correspondence, as shown on our website, to the images that illustrate them and the descriptions that specify their physical attributes.
If there are any issues with items you have bought from us, please contact us. We will be happy to identify possible solutions with you.
However, if you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you may return the item within 14 days of its receipt, for your choice of an exchange, refund, or store credit.
If you are considering a return, please follow these steps:
- Contact us as soon as possible, clearly stating your intent to return an item. While you are not required to provide a reason, we would appreciate you sharing it, in the interest of us serving you better in the future.
- Await confirmation of our readiness to receive your return.
- Securely package the item to be returned. Ensure it is returned in the same condition as received.
- Arrange for return shipment to us, using the same or a similar shipping method as our shipment to you, including insurance in the amount of the purchase price of the item as well as tracking and signature on delivery.
- Ship the item to us as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days after its original receipt.
- Await a refund in line with our refund policy.
Please note that we do not accept returns of items damaged after receipt. However, if you receive an item damaged, we will provide you with a full refund, upon you returning the affected item to us. For your damage claim to be honoured, you must fully and accurately document the damage, and lodge the claim with us within seven days of receipt of your shipment.
Digital Images
Due to their electronic nature, digital images cannot be returned. However, within 14 days of receipt of the download link for an image file you can receive a refund for a change-of-mind, as long as the link has not been accessed during this time.
Refunds
Physical Items
All of the following conditions must be met for a return to qualify for a refund:
- You communicated with us your intent to return an item.
- You awaited confirmation of our readiness to receive your return.
- You returned the item securely packaged and in the same condition as received.
- You arranged for the return shipment to be covered by insurance in the amount of the purchase price of the item.
- You selected tracking and signature on delivery for the return shipment.
- You shipped the item no later than 14 days after its original receipt.
If a return meets all of the above conditions, we will arrange for your choice of an exchange, refund, or store credit within two business days of our receipt of the returned items.
Considering the unique nature of our products, exchanges are offered for any item listed at the same price as the returned item. We can offer another example of the returned item as an exchange only if available.
Refunds will be made using the same payment method as used for the original order.
Refunds will cover the payment you made to us for the item returned, at the original purchase price, including costs for shipping the item to you.
We will also refund the payment you have made for the return shipping costs, but only in cases where you are returning the item because you received it not as described on our website or due to some other error of ours.
We do not refund return shipping costs in cases where we are not at fault, for instance if you change your mind about your purchase.
Further, we do not refund any other charges by, or payments to, third parties you may have incurred, or made, after purchasing an item from us, such as for customs clearing, storage, or additional shipping and handling.
We also do not provide a refund if you have not come into possession of your purchase due to you not having paid any applicable duties and other customs and import charges, as well as taxes.
Digital Images
Within 14 days of receipt of the download link for an image file, you can receive a refund for a change-of-mind, as long as the link has not been accessed during this time. If this condition is met, please contact us, and we will arrange for your choice of a refund or store credit within two business days of our receipt of your refund enquiry.
Refunds will be made using the same payment method as used for the original order.
These terms and conditions were last updated on 31 August 2026.