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The Map is a Very Pretty One
- By The Map Collector
- Published 1 June 1986
- Maps
- Unrated
The Map Collector
The Map Collector, initiated by Peter Scott and Valerie G. Newby, was a journal on historical cartography published every quarter. The first issue appeared in 1997 and continued for nearly 20 years. After 74 issues the last copy appeared in Spring 1996. Mrs. Valerie G. Newby, is presently editor of the IMCoS Journal.
www.imcos.org
by Francis Herbert
Francis Herbert has worked in the Map Room of the Royal Geographical Society, London, since 1971 and has an intimate knowledge of their cartographic collections. Here he discusses some items which have been donated over the years by Fellows (elected members) of the Society who were also well known map-makers. The quotation in the title is taken from a comment made about John Bartholomew's map of Santiago in Chile which he presented to the Society in 1857
THE THEME CHOSEN by the International Map Collectors' Society for its 1986 Annual Symposium to be held at the Royal Geographical Society is that of exploration — an appropriate one in view of the Society's well known interest in, and support of, this facet of its life since its birth in 1830. At times this aspect of the Society's activities has far overshadowed others including the more active collecting, recording, and conservation of geographical and cartographical data.
At the first official meeting of the RGS on July 16, 1830, John Barrow (who had travelled to China and South Africa and encouraged exploration in the Arctic) suggested that the first way of advancing geography was in 'The composition of Maps illustrative of particular branches of geographical knowledge, more especially those relating to orology, hydrology, and geology.' On December 13 that year, part of the agreed `Constitution' read: 'The Society shall also commence the formation of a Library, with a collection of Maps and Instruments connected with Geographical Science, to which all Members shall have access, and strangers by their orders, under such restrictions . . . necessary for their preservation'. At the Society's anniversary meeting in May 1854, it was announced that the government had agreed to an annual grant to it of £500 `in order that an apartment be provided, in which the Society's valuable collection of Maps and Charts may be rendered available for general reference'. At the following year's anniversary meeting it was reported that 'The Map-rooms are daily visited by intelligent strangers [!] as well as by members generally . .
To many map collectors this background might seem too `academic' and unlikely to offer much of interest. However, from the earliest years the Society has also collected examples of geographical, hydrographical and cartographical works — both manuscript and printed — dating from the fifteenth century onwards. At its meeting of November 22, 1830, even the Hereford world map was exhibited. In the RGS Archives (Evening Meetings Minute Book, 1830-34, November 22, 1830) is stated 'Received an intimation from the Chair that the Hereford Map was arrived, and now in the Room, with a communication from Mr Britton, inviting the attention of the Society to it, as one of the earliest specimens of British Map-Drawing, (being supposed as early as the 12th. Century), and consequently an interesting link in the history of what may be called the written character of Geography'.' A glance at the only published catalogue of the Map Room (1882)2 will show this. Most of the items in both the Library and the Map Room derive from four sources; namely review copies, exchange with the Society's publications, donations or bequests, and 'politic' donations.' The donations are often the most interesting items as, shortly before and/or after election to membership of the RGS many cartographers, engravers, and publishers presented either 'proof' copies or copies of finished items to the Society.
One important and interesting aspect regarding the donation of proof copies of maps is that it is possible to trace more fully the progress of a work; this might be from an original manuscript via a proof to the final published state. Half a dozen examples taken from each of the Society's first six decades may illustrate this. Excluded are examples from major official surveying, mapping, and charting organisations, specialist producers such as globe makers, and foreign or corresponding members; also 'cartographic curiosities' such as typographic maps, maps on fabric, and inflatable globes.
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COPYRIGHT June 1986 The Map Collector, All rights reserved.
No portion of this article nor the accompanying illustrations can or may be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Francis Herbert has worked in the Map Room of the Royal Geographical Society, London, since 1971 and has an intimate knowledge of their cartographic collections. Here he discusses some items which have been donated over the years by Fellows (elected members) of the Society who were also well known map-makers. The quotation in the title is taken from a comment made about John Bartholomew's map of Santiago in Chile which he presented to the Society in 1857
THE THEME CHOSEN by the International Map Collectors' Society for its 1986 Annual Symposium to be held at the Royal Geographical Society is that of exploration — an appropriate one in view of the Society's well known interest in, and support of, this facet of its life since its birth in 1830. At times this aspect of the Society's activities has far overshadowed others including the more active collecting, recording, and conservation of geographical and cartographical data.
At the first official meeting of the RGS on July 16, 1830, John Barrow (who had travelled to China and South Africa and encouraged exploration in the Arctic) suggested that the first way of advancing geography was in 'The composition of Maps illustrative of particular branches of geographical knowledge, more especially those relating to orology, hydrology, and geology.' On December 13 that year, part of the agreed `Constitution' read: 'The Society shall also commence the formation of a Library, with a collection of Maps and Instruments connected with Geographical Science, to which all Members shall have access, and strangers by their orders, under such restrictions . . . necessary for their preservation'. At the Society's anniversary meeting in May 1854, it was announced that the government had agreed to an annual grant to it of £500 `in order that an apartment be provided, in which the Society's valuable collection of Maps and Charts may be rendered available for general reference'. At the following year's anniversary meeting it was reported that 'The Map-rooms are daily visited by intelligent strangers [!] as well as by members generally . .
To many map collectors this background might seem too `academic' and unlikely to offer much of interest. However, from the earliest years the Society has also collected examples of geographical, hydrographical and cartographical works — both manuscript and printed — dating from the fifteenth century onwards. At its meeting of November 22, 1830, even the Hereford world map was exhibited. In the RGS Archives (Evening Meetings Minute Book, 1830-34, November 22, 1830) is stated 'Received an intimation from the Chair that the Hereford Map was arrived, and now in the Room, with a communication from Mr Britton, inviting the attention of the Society to it, as one of the earliest specimens of British Map-Drawing, (being supposed as early as the 12th. Century), and consequently an interesting link in the history of what may be called the written character of Geography'.' A glance at the only published catalogue of the Map Room (1882)2 will show this. Most of the items in both the Library and the Map Room derive from four sources; namely review copies, exchange with the Society's publications, donations or bequests, and 'politic' donations.' The donations are often the most interesting items as, shortly before and/or after election to membership of the RGS many cartographers, engravers, and publishers presented either 'proof' copies or copies of finished items to the Society.
One important and interesting aspect regarding the donation of proof copies of maps is that it is possible to trace more fully the progress of a work; this might be from an original manuscript via a proof to the final published state. Half a dozen examples taken from each of the Society's first six decades may illustrate this. Excluded are examples from major official surveying, mapping, and charting organisations, specialist producers such as globe makers, and foreign or corresponding members; also 'cartographic curiosities' such as typographic maps, maps on fabric, and inflatable globes.
Read Full Article >>
[Acrobat Reader required]
COPYRIGHT June 1986 The Map Collector, All rights reserved.
No portion of this article nor the accompanying illustrations can or may be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
