Archival matting
Rag and fabric-wrapped mats separate works on paper from glazing, help them lie flat and avoid acidic materials that accelerate deterioration.
History, held in the present.
Original maps, prints, globes and objects—preserved with museum-quality custom framing.
Southern Pacific railway and steamship map · 1891
A Houston room for the genuinely old.
The Antiquarium continues a family tradition of dealing in rare maps and antique prints—without turning collecting into an intimidating exercise.
The gallery was founded in 1990. Its collection reaches from the fifteenth through twentieth centuries and includes original maps, prints, documents, photographs, globes, scientific instruments and objects of historical or aesthetic interest.
Only a small portion of the collection appears online. The online inventory is original: no copies, reproductions or digital prints. A certificate of authenticity is available with a purchase upon request.
- 1990
- Founded in Houston
- 30,000+
- Items framed for clients and collections
- 50+ years
- Combined artisan design and production experience
- Original
- Authentic works only in the online antique inventory
Maps are the beginning, not the boundary.
Browse Texana, world maps, city plans, botanicals, natural history, manuscripts, globes, instruments, photographs and objects—or ask the gallery to search its wider in-store holdings.
Framing is part of the scholarship.
Design, chemistry and craftsmanship work together. Every choice is made to support the object now and protect it through changing light, temperature and humidity.
Handmade frames
Period-aware and contemporary frames come from workshops around the world, with options to alter color, ornament and depth for the work at hand.
Fillets & linework
Fine moulding fillets, hand-drawn lines, painted bevels and marbleized paper borders add definition without overwhelming the artwork.
Conservation glazing
Conservation Clear and Museum Glass both provide 99% UV protection; Museum Glass additionally reduces glare. UV Clear and Museum Acrylic serve large or media-sensitive work.
Fabric & embossing
Embossed fabric mats and backing bring dimension to shadowboxes and float frames; precise paper cutouts can support diplomas and graphic work.
Objects & display cases
Historical artifacts, statuary and irregular three-dimensional pieces can receive bespoke mounts, shadowboxes or museum-quality display alternatives.
A framing consultation, from near or far.
Walk in during current business hours for an in-person design conversation, or begin remotely before bringing or shipping the artwork.
Start the conversation.
Call or email with the item, framing needs and design direction. A video conversation can be arranged when useful.
Review real options.
The team prepares several designs, shares photographs and a quote, and refines the treatment with you.
Finalize the order.
Once the artwork is present for exact measurement and at least a 50% deposit is received, the final design and cost are confirmed.
For artwork purchased from the online gallery, contact the shop before or soon after ordering so it is not shipped before the framing consultation.
Details from the workbench.
Real project photography from The Antiquarium’s official framing guide: quiet interventions, deliberate materials and craft visible at close range.
Have something old?
The sale desk is selective by design. A clear first inquiry saves everyone time.
For email inquiries, include photographs. Value cannot be determined accurately from a photograph alone, so items of interest may need an in-person review. The Antiquarium is not licensed to perform official appraisals, but may offer an opinion of value when familiar with the work.
- Primarily works more than 100 years old
- Engravings, antique maps and documents
- Globes, scientific instruments and atlases from 1500–1900
- Houston and Texas history; oil and gas material
- Fine World War I and II material, excluding firearms
- Original photographs
Not purchased: old frames, oil or watercolor paintings, furniture, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, sports memorabilia, musical instruments, records, toys, appliances, textbooks, comics or newspapers.
Come see what isn’t online.
The Antiquarium2025 West Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098
The official website still displays a former address and temporary hours. Call the shop before arrival to confirm current hours at the West Alabama location.
- Phone
- 713-622-7531
- Website
- theantiquarium.com
- Consultations
- In person or virtual
- Authenticity
- Certificates available upon request