Reference links

The following sites may be able to offer further information on antiquarian maps and other antiquarian works on paper. The list includes reference to online publications, industry journals, bibliographic works, historical societies and the well-known and extensive collections of libraries, which may be accessed online. We update these links regularly, however let us know if any of the links fail and we will investigate them.

Reference Publications

Moreland, Carl, and David Bannister. Antique Maps. 2nd. ed. Oxford: Phaidon-Cristie's, 1986.

Manasek, Frank J. Collecting Old Maps, Norwich, Vt.: Terra Nova Press, 1998.  

Koeman, Ir. Cornelis (complied by Peter van der Krogt). Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, vol. 1 & 2. 't Goy-Houten: HES Publishers,1997 and 2000.

Broecke, Marcel P.R. van den, Ortelius Atlas Maps, an Illustrated Guide, The Netherlands: HES Publishers, 1996.

Ronald Vere Tooley. Tooley's Dictionary of Mapmakers, Tring: Map Collector Publications Ltd., 1979.

Background Information and Lists/Bibliographies

Chris Lane, map specialist goes into detail to describe how to begin collecting maps.

Written by Evelyn Edson, professor of history at Piedmont Virginia Community College, provides a very useful introduction to the subject of the history of Cartography.

IMCos Bulletin that outlines techniques for judging the authenticity of an antiquarian work on paper.

This site is maintained by Tony Campbell of the British Library and regularly updated. The 100 'pages' of this carefully organized site offer comment and guidance, and many, many links - selected for relevance and quality.

The primary purpose of MapHist is to encourage individuals to communicate current research; evaluate methods and tools of analysis; announce important acquisitions and news; announce position vacancies; announce new publications; investigate library holdings; and to share information between conferences and the appearance of relevant journals.

a very extensive list of bookmarks related to maps and mapmaking maintained by the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

A research editorial and publishing venture with summaries and contents pages available for the volumes which have already been published (1 &2) and information on forthcoming volumes. Contains a great deal of information available about the History of Cartography.

Publications

International Journal for the History of Cartography. Deals with all facets of the history and interpretation of maps and mapmaking in any part of the world, at any period. All articles are refereed and represent original research. The journal is now multi-disciplinary and over the last few years Imago Mundi has carried the insights of geographers, historians, art historians, historians of science, social scientists, and literary scholars.

An online periodical for map collectors and enthusiasts. Includes articles and useful book and exhibition reviews. Back issues accessible online.

The magazine of maps, geography and discovery. US based publication covering both the commercial side of the map trade and scholarly discussion. Website includes online access articles, which appear in the journals current issue. Some articles from back issues are also available. Hard copy reference books and back issues may also be purchased.

Historical and Map Societies

This society was in established in 1994 and is affiliated with the Harvard Map Collection. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in maps.

Collections

The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection, a huge private collection housed in San Francisco, focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America cartographic history materials. Historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia and Africa are also represented. The collection categories include old and antique atlas, globe, school geography, maritime chart, state, county, city, pocket, wall, children and manuscript maps.

This comprises the largest and most comprehensive cartographic collection in the world with collections numbering over 4.5 million maps including 60,000 atlases, 6,000 reference works, numerous globes

Rare Books and Maps

The Newberry is an independent research library in Chicago. It"s map collection is extensive (over 300,000) and the website includes access to the catalogue.

Osher Map Library of the University of Southern Maine. Access to the online catalogue of the Universities extensive collection and to the Smith, Enggass, Naden, Fleet Bank, and OML collections which contain approximately 20,000 maps, as separate sheets or bound in over 1,500 rare books and atlases. The texts include explorers' narratives, the accounts of early travelers, and works of cosmography, astronomy, navigation, and geography.

The Harvard Map Collection is the oldest map collection in America. The collection has grown to include ca. 400,000 maps, over 6,000 atlases, and several thousand reference books. Topographic maps, nautical charts and thematic maps provide an excellent research collection representing all chronological periods and notable map makers.

Access to the map collection"s catalogue (over 200,000 items) and some images of antiquarian maps, which are in the collection.

Professional Associations

 is a non-profit organization based in London that serves as a forum for those who are interested in maps. The Society publishes a quarterly journal and the website has some very valuable information on caring for antique maps and judging a maps condition.

Miscellaneous

Biennial conference held under the auspices of Imago Mundi, the publicher of the International Journal for the History of Cartography. In 2003 to be held June 15-17 at Harvard, and June 18-20 at the University of Southern Maine.

Australian Rare Book dealer -also offering a listing service.

A catagorised and cross referenced index to genealogical sources on the Internet

An excellent informational site which contains scans of or direct links to maps of England, Scotland and Wales from the 14th to the 19th century. Intended for use by historians and genealolists, the maps are arranged by county.

American site of the National Genealogical Society - a service organisation which aims to lead and educate the National Genealogical community