Bob and Martha Seamans lived in Georgetown, D.C. until they purchased Ocean View’s oldest surviving home in 1965. Their eight-year restoration brought the circa-1857 home back from the brink of demolition, saving a local landmark and a fine example of 19th Century architecture. Ultimately, the renovation provided a new home for Antique Prints, Inc., Bob and Martha’s ‘hobby-turned-obsession’ of collecting antique prints, autographs and maps.
Bob and Martha Seamans started collecting antique prints, maps and volumes of work over fifty years ago. Over time they cultivated a beautiful collection, vast in subject matter, as their schedule would allow them. Bob traveled the country as a college recruiter and was able to have access to 1000s of book shops. Martha was one of the first IBM computer professors and a beautifully skilled oil painter. They loved traveling to Maine, so Martha would have time to paint the incredible seascapes and Bob visit the book and print shops along the way. They learned the practices of buying of value, restoration and preservation and decided to seriously start collecting in 1965 and begin exhibiting the collection to others for sale.
The Antique Prints shop opened officially in 1970, by appointment only. The Seamans’ began by showing you what they had from their collection simply arranged in their living room. We still retain a large majority of those customers!
A new addition was built in 1980 providing 2 more levels to store and display their growing collection. The addition took shape as an attached storefront, with it’s own door and beautiful picture window. More parking was created in the front (2 spots) and a wonderful sign by the road was also put out. This is the same shop we still use today.
Much has happened over the last 40 years of business. Bob and Martha worked to expand their customer base extensively, selling to many Washingtonians that would visit the beach during summer vacation. Additionally, they began participating in antique shows up and down the east coast almost every other weekend. Also, Bob developed Antique Prints, Inc. even further by offering custom framing to their customers and created a wonderful reputation due to his detailed framing services and preservation.
In 2000, Martha lost her long battle with breast cancer after 18 years. Bob was left with the shop, to manage himself, now with over 150,000 prints and maps and a vast array of dedicated customers. Then in 2005, after much deliberation, daughter Kerry and her husband, Brandon Case made the move from Chaddsford, PA to help continue the family business as it was.
Now, Brandon and Kerry run the business full time (along with their two children Sadie & Max) and provide a wonderful selection of fine prints of Americana (William Sidney Mount, Thomas Cole), City Views (Charles Magnus, Hill, Bartlett), Maps (Blaeu, Moll, Lotter, A. Finley, Beers), all dating prior to 1880. Also, prints of all Natural History subject, including Audubon Birds, and Quadrupeds, Curtis Botanicals, and the best shell selection on the east coast.
Brandon has continued the business operations and expanded the museum grade custom framing services offered at the shop. Along with working hard to create a large number of dedicated clients. Some of them include prior first lady Laura Bush, Dick Cheney, the State War and Navy Building in Washington D.C., the White House Library, Pentagon, National Defense University at Fort McNair, various presidents of Bank of America, members of the Dupont family and many other influential characters of our day.
