Looking for a historical map? Mapseeker in association with Collins Bartholomew now offer a comprehensive range of historical mapping for you to select and order online.
Mapseeker was formed several years ago by Paul Line, and offers one of the most comprehensive collections of British historical maps currently available, as well as an expanding selection of world and thematic maps.
“The collaboration with Collins Bartholomew is an exciting time for everyone involved in the project, with new maps appearing on the Mapseeker website on a daily basis” says Paul. The last few years have seen a sudden increase in interest in historical mapping, and not simply because old maps look great framed and hung on the wall, but also because they are being increasingly used in historical research and education. This latter use is one Paul is very keen to promote through Mapseeker. “We welcome non-commercial and non-profit making institutions such as schools, colleges or universities to use any information presented on this site for educational research and study purposes.”
The task of getting maps from the Collins Bartholomew archive to the website is not as straightforward as you might think as the best possible maps are selected and then processed into the finished digital file. The process starts with Paul making the long drive from his home near Birmingham, north to Glasgow where Collins Bartholomew archive is located in the Collins Geo office. Paul and myself then spend several fascinating hours appraising dozens of maps and atlases from our archive. Once the final selection has been made Paul returns south, where he hands the maps over to his small team of experts for processing. The original maps are carefully scanned, cleaned and coloured up before the finishing touch - the addition of a suitable border. While this is taking place, I am compiling the text descriptions that will sit alongside the maps on the website. These are usually based on one of the many old Bartholomew Gazetteers held in our library. The image is then ready to be uploaded to the website.
Bradfords plan of Birmingham 1750. Click on images to enlarge.
The original map is first scanned to create an unprocessed digital image. In this example the Birmingham plan shows a dissected map with the 'fold gaps' between the printed map squares that were glued onto the fabric backing.
The digital image is cleaned and the dissected parts brought together to form a continuous map coverage.
The map image is coloured up.The Mapseeker website has an online shop, through which, maps can be purchased as photographic prints or giclée fine art prints. These are available in a range of sizes, with a wide selection of frames to choose from.
David Jamieson, Collins Bartholomew archivist and map librarian, Collins Geo
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