Country Life book of antique maps: An introduction to the history of maps and how to appreciate them

It is possible that long before Man could communicate through the written word, he was making primitive maps from clay or bits of bark, probably to indicate nothing more than good places to hunt. As the sea became more important for food and transport so charts were produced on shells and bones to indicate sheltered coves, fishing grounds, hidden rocks or safe routes. But it was not until the 16th century that maps evolved into the intricate documents we know today. The beginning of the 1500s heralded the age when cartographers not only recorded geographical boundaries, but introduced a style which, with their historical content, made maps beautiful and irresistible works of art. It is from this time to the 1850s that this book concerns itself - the age of the mapmaker as scientist and artist. This volume is a thorough introduction to the history of antique maps and how to collect and enjoy them, written by one of the world's leading antique map dealers.