Some of the oldest collectibles in the nation, here in Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Nestled inside a slate gray, modern building is a transatlantic treasure trove, hiding some of the oldest collectibles you'll find in the nation.

"It really is an intersection of arts and science," said owner Ed Grusnis.

The Antiquarium, a 25-year-old gallery of prints and maps from across the world and across time, is complete with its own Indiana Jones.

"I have a person who has 30-plus years' experience in this area who is always on the hunt for inventory for me," said Grusnis. "He is literally scouring the planet looking for things to acquire."

The oldest of what they've acquired is a European illuminated manuscript dating back to the 1300s.

This particular map from 15th Nuremberg also gave would-be travelers a prediction of the types of people they would meet if they did venture out of Germany, like goat man or the fellow with his face on his chest.

If your tastes are a little more homegrown, you could find that.

"You can find maps of Texas for as little as $200 that are beautiful, historic,19th century primarily," said Grusnis, "and if you were looking for something like that from the state you grew up in or from a country you lived in, you would find that."