Mapmaking dates to at least the late 15th century, just a few decades after Gutenberg’s introduction of the first moveable type printing press. By the time of Queen Elizabeth’s reign during the second half of the 16th century, people were already collecting these documents, which were usually bound in books, making them important additions to any self-respecting library.

Some of the most desirable early maps are the colorful engravings from the 1500s, which were quick to integrate, as best they could, the intelligence gleaned from voyages by such explorers as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Giovanni Caboto, an Italian whose name is frequently shortened to Cabot. The first of these was Johann Ruysch’s 1507 map showing the New World, which was produced more than a decade before Ferdinand Magellan’s crew completed their late-captain’s circumnavigation of the world.

Gerard Mercator’s “Orbis Terrae Compendiosa Descriptio,” which was reproduced by his son Rumold in 1587 and published in numerous books and atlases after his death in 1594, gave ...

By 1627, the famous London cartographer John Speed produced a decorative, double-hemisphere map of his own, which is notable for showing the state of California as an island. More than 100 years later, in 1750, Emanuel Bowen’s Mercator projection world map, in which all the latitudes and longitudes are parallel, got Baja California correct, but left the northwest corner of North America empty and unmapped.

If the geography depicted on world maps was occasionally a bit fuzzy, cartographers did a better job capturing more familiar places such as cities and towns. Sebastian Munster’s 1552 map of London used the woodblock printing technique to show streets to scale, outsize ships in the Thames, and noblemen and women in the foreground as a decorative touch. By comparison, John Rocque’s 1746 map of the same city almost looks like a satellite photograph—visitors to the city today could probably use it and not get too lost.

Some of the earliest regional maps of North America and the United States were produced by Europeans. Henry Hondius of The Hague created a map of Virginia in 1633 based on an original provided by Captain John Smith, who settled Jamestown. Amsterdam-based cartographer Jan Jansson created definitive maps of the northeast in 1666, and Francis Lamb engraved a decorative map of the Carolina coastline for Londoner John Speed in 1676.

As with Rocque’s 1746 map of London, Robert Sayer and John Bennett’s 1776 map of Florida looks surprisingly contemporary. And Joseph Colton’s large 1854 wall map of the United States is extremely accurate, with states, territories, and topographical features captured in loving detail.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

American Engraved Powder Horns

The period of the French and Indian War was a map-making era. Since much of the country was not chartered, it is perfectly logical… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

David Rumsey Map Collection

David Rumsey Map Collection

David Rumsey has put over 15,800 maps online, with a special focus on North and South American images from the 18th… [read review or visit site]

U. Texas Map Collection

U. Texas Map Collection

This comprehensive map archive includes maps of the world, individual continents, and the U.S., as well as speciali… [read review or visit site]

Maps: Finding Our Place in the World

Maps: Finding Our Place in the World

This attractively designed microsite from The Field Museum showcases highlights of their map collection, along with… [read review or visit site]

Harvard University Collections

Harvard University Collections

This portal site highlights Harvard's many web accessible collections, featuring everything from photographs to mus… [read review or visit site]

The American Memory Project

The American Memory Project

This amazing Library of Congress site includes about a hundred photo and document collections (see complete list) o… [read review or visit site]

New York Public Library

New York Public Library

The New York Public Library's impressive Digital Gallery offers free access to over 500,000 historical images inclu… [read review or visit site]

Petrol Maps

Petrol Maps

Ian Byrne's virtual glove compartment with almost 2,000 European petrol (gas) and oil company roadmaps. While Ameri… [read review or visit site]

Virtual Museum of Surveying

Virtual Museum of Surveying

This site really measures up: the extensive galleries of surveying-related artifacts include a compass manufacturer… [read review or visit site]

Ephemera Blog

Ephemera Blog

Marty Weil's wide-ranging, in-depth blog on ephemera, including lots of great interviews with ephemera collectors. … [read review or visit site]

Ephemera Society of America

Ephemera Society of America

Great reference on ephemera... includes examples and descriptions of various ephemera categories, selected special … [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Paper

Other Great Reference Sites: Paper

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 615 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Anno 1565: A Very Rare Folio Book In Blackletter Type, Woodcuts, Map!!!!!!!!!!!!1549 C. WaldseemEagle Industries Map Aor1 Nswdg[map]. Anville [jean Baptiste Bourguignon] A New And Complete Map Of The... 1794Complete 55 Stereoview Boxed Set St Louis Worlds Fair Underwood Map, Booklet Anno 1569: A Most Beautiful Miniature Book With Maps And Full-page Woodcuts!!!!!1539 Justin Trogus Pompeius History Greece Alexander The Great Egypt Persia MapsAmerican Continent 1730 Seutter Antique Original Copper Engraved MapWw2 D-day Invasion Map-1944 St. Pierre Du MontWw2 Silk Map Battle Of The Bulge Signed 508th Parachute Infantry 82nd AirborneAsia Antique Alexander The Grat Empire Persia Engr. Map Janssonius 1658 #a222Globe Wernicke Map File Print Architect 48 Drawer Rare Cabinet Bookcase History Of America Set 1899 Leather Binding War Maps Civil War Indian Old WestAntique 1859 Roll Map Of Washington County Ny Cambridge And White Creek1931 Elgin House Muskoka / Rosseau /joseph /canadian National Railways Map1836 Seminole War Fl Report 1100 Pgs Maps Captured Slaves1731 Philosophical Transactions With Kino California Map Medical Plates BindingSurrey England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved MapHand Colored Original Map Of "the Confines Of Palestine" By T. Fuller 1650France Northern Italy 1633 Mercator/hondius Antique Original Copper Engraved MapWwii ~ Silk Map For Airborne Paratrooper 82nd France 1944 Market Garden D-dayAfrican Continent 1730 Seutter Antique Original Copper Engraved Map1st Ed 1893 Rare Travel And Adventure In South-east Africa By Selous, Foldng MapC.1710 Rare Map Buddhist Asia China Japan India Handcolored Wood Block SplendidChina Korea Japan Indonesia Souteast Asia India 1705 De L'isle Large Antique Map1857 Voyages Of Christopher Columbus Book Set 3v. Leather W/foldout Maps Antique1857 Large Wall Scroll Map Residence Illustrations Milo New York Antique Antique Map Southern Spain In Spanish Andalvzia Continens Sevillam Et CordubamCaribbean Cuba Karibik West India Big Map 1870 CaEarly Town Map Of Lisbon, Pa. Now Carmichaels, Green County Pa. Circa 18141884 Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, Map, Childrens, Second EditionLarge Map Of North Eastern China Waeber 1900 Colorized Map Pre-communistAnglesey Man Wight England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved MapBuffy The Vampire Slayer--- Improved Map Of Sunnydale--- Big!1736 Atlas Macquart America Map - California Island - L'ameriqueNorthern Wales 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved MapRare 1891 1st Ed General Sherman Civil War Battle Maps Union & Confedrate ArmySpain Balearic Portugal Gibraltar 1730 Seutter Antique Copper Engraved Map1899 Northern Pacific Rr Yellowstone Timetable 48 Page Foldout Map Excellent Antique 1889 Health Officer Report Washington Dc Book Mortality Sickness Maps1842 Butler's Atlas Of Modern Geography 18 Maps America Australia Africa Alaska1736 Atlas Macquart World Map - Mappe Monde - Globe Terrestre - America AfricaNyc Subway Map And Guide- 1967Nyc Subway Map And Guide- No Date But Pre-1968 Logo1796 Early Map Of States Of North And South CarolinaHampshire Berkshire England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved MapOxfordshire England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved MapShropshire Staffordshire England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Copper Engraved MapAntique Pictorial Map Fort Mckinley Philippines 1929 Really Neat Fun MapSuffolk England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved Map1549 C. Stumpf Fine Map - Spain Portugal Sea Monster - Fine Handcol. WoodcutHoly Island Scotland Jersey Guernsey Farne England 1646 Jannsonius Antique MapDevonshire England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved MapMiddlesex Hertfordshire England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Copper Engraved Map1942 Ernest Dudley Chase Signed Ww2 Total War Battle Map (m)Napoleon's Expedition To Russia *1827* Count Philip De Segur 2vols Map Battles1966 Disneyland Book Map Unused Postcards Pamphlets TicketbookWilshire England 1646 Jannsonius Antique Original Copper Engraved Map World Atlas 1888 Maps, Usa, Indian Territory, Dakota, Canada,world CountriesHoly Bible,1875,ugc,antique Family Pictorial, Leather & Gilt, Map,pull Out,color

Recent News: Maps

Source: Google News

Super Charged Rhino Charge 2013 Ahead
AllAfrica.com, May 18th

This year is no different and the map collection point is the Brookhouse School along Nairobi's Magadi Road starting 31st of June. "As usual everybody is asking leading questions and trying to establish where the location is and I'm sure one or two...Read more

ANN ARBOR: Antiquarian Book Fair back in town on Sunday
Heritage Newspapers, May 18th

and children's literature (Books of the Ages, Batavia, Ohio). It pays to visit all booths at the fair as most will have books in the above subjects and more. Look for vintage maps, prints, local history and ephemera to be available. Continued... 1 · 2...Read more

House Beautiful: A residence with a view
Victoria Times Colonist, May 18th

Hugh has added to the library and also collects fine antique maps. “Andrew designed a library and the craftsmen at Swiftsure did a tremendous job.” An unusual feature in their library is the foldaway bed. The owners originally thought of a typical wall...Read more

The Avenue Gallery looks to create arts/health community in Norwalk
The Hour, May 17th

Located in the former location of Brandman's Paint and Decorating Center, The Avenue Gallery features mixed art from local artists, antique maps and prints, framing services and a forum for artists to gather. The location also includes Kong Crossfit in...Read more

Cromwellian map collection website goes live
RTE.ie, May 13th

Co Tipperary, Ireland (Pic: Department des Cartes et Plans, Bibliotheque National de France) Barony of Slievardagh, Co Tipperary, Ireland. (Pic: Map Library, Trinity College Dublin) Barony of Middlethird, Co Tipperary, Ireland (Pic: The Quit Rent...Read more

DPLA Announces Partnership with Rumsey Map Collection
GISuser.com (press release), May 2nd

The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is partnering with the David Rumsey Map Collection to provide online access to tens of thousands of significant historical maps and images. As part of the relationship, David Rumsey will provide metadata for...Read more

Dresses Made From Antique Maps [Pics]
PSFK, May 1st

'Les Robes Geographiques' is a fashion project by the artist Elisabeth Lecourt, who lives and works in London. The series features dresses fashioned out of a wide variety of antique map replicas. Dresses Made From Antique Map Replicas [Pics]. Some of...Read more

On the occasion of the National Day of Persian Gulf
Iran Book News Agency, April 22nd

The Exhibition of Antique Maps of Persian will open on Thursday in the central office of Sahab Geographic and Drafting Institute. The exhibition will be mounted on the occasion of the National Day of Persian Gulf. IBNA: The Exhibition of Antique Maps...Read more