One of the most common queries I get as Collins Geo’s Map Librarian/Archivist is to find a date for a Bartholomew Half-Inch series map. This can be problematic. When there is no actual date printed on the sheet there are a number of indicators that can be used to help establish the likely publication date of the map.
These are:
*Bartholomew company address given on the map
*Abbreviated date code used on some sheets
*Cover title of the map
*Price
*Series name and sheet number.
The abbreviated date code is the only one of these that will indicate a definite year of publication. If this is not present, then a combination of the other indicators can often be used to arrive at an accurate publication date.
For a more detailed description of these indicators see A Brief Guide to Dating the Bartholomew Half-Inch to One Mile Maps (PDF 203KB). While the notes provided in this guide have been compiled in an attempt to make it as simple as possible to date a map from the series, it must be stressed that in some cases it may only be possible to establish an approximate date of publication.
This in turn raises a question in my mind – ‘Why do some of the Half-Inch sheets have dates or codes and some have neither?’ Your answers or comments please.
David Jamieson, Map Librarian/Archivist, Collins Geo
21 May 2009
Bartholomew Half-Inch to One Mile Maps, Dating Guide
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Ah, the potential minefield of dating Bartholomew maps! In my experience as Bartholomew Archive Assistant here at the National Library of Scotland, I sympathise with the problem - not one that is confined to Bartholomew maps alone though I am sure.
ReplyDeleteOne other pointer that can be helpful is to look at the name the firm is using on the cover or on the map itself. In 1919 John Bartholomew & Co. became John Bartholomew & Son Ltd.. This can be a good tool for helping to narrow down a date but of course will not provide anything other than a rough guide.
The date of publication does not necessarily always correspond with the date of printing. However, ongoing work here at NLS means that not only is it possible to date a map but to also reveal exactly when it was printed and what the print run was. But, even so it can still be tricky.
It is possible that this system began in 1911 in correlation to the firm moving premises from Park Road to Duncan Street. Perhaps with a new impetus and an historical printing run now running to well over 30 years (and fifty very large, very heavy Printing Record volumes), the need to impart order for their own business purposes was felt. I am sure, if one was inclined to research this further though that the answers lie hidden somewhere here in the fabulous Archive!
Karla Baker