Sarajevo escape map 1996 © Miran Norderland
I have a bit of an obsession with maps – with their beauty and their audacity, and the idea of all the people and terrains they represent.
But until recently I had no idea that the British Library shares my passion. They have one of the largest collections of maps, plans and topographical views in the world, numbering some 4.5 million, with a chronological spread of over 2,000 years.
Pretty mind-boggling.
Harry Beck tube map sketch 1931 cr Victoria and Albert Museum 1931
From now until 1st March 2017, you can visit their exhibition Maps and the 20th Century: Drawing the Line, showcasing marvels ranging from an early sketch for the London tube map dating from 1931 to a Russian moon globe. Pore over the first map of A A Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood, or fantasise about traipsing off in a rather exquisite dress made from World War II escape maps printed on silk.
Detail of dress made from silk escape maps. On-loan from Worthing Museum. Photo by Clare Kendall.
There are also insights into how maps have shaped the way we understand the world. The possibilities for story ideas are limitless.
Find full details of the exhibition at www.bl.uk.
If you write or create something prompted by this, please send an email to Judy(at)socket creative.com to let me know. With your permission, I might publish it on SkyLightRain.com.