Facsimiles are faithful copies of old maps, atlases or globes. Rare, important culturally historical or especially aesthetic documents are produced as facsimiles. They are designed to conserve sensitive originals and are also popular among collectors and enthusiasts for decorative purposes. If the scale or colour scheme is altered, it tends to be referred to as a reproduction rather than a facsimile.

Picture: «Karte des Kantons Zürich aus dem Jahr 1667 in 56 Blättern», facsimile after the Original in the state archives of Zurich (detail of PLAN A 59), Verlag Josef Stocker, 1967, Copies