Abstract
A CATALOGUE of the printed maps, plans, and charts in the British Museum has been prepared by Prof. Douglas, and will be issued in two large volumes. It represents the contents of the manuscript catalogue in 323 volumes, the catalogue of the maps and plans in the Royal Library in two printed volumes, and the manuscript catalogue of charts in the same library. The original manuscript catalogue was made under the superintendence of Mr. Major, late Keeper of the Department of Maps. The orthography adopted in the present Catalogue is that used in Keith Johnston's “General Dictionary of Geography,” with the exception of India, for which Hunter's “Gazetteer” has been taken as a guide. The utility of this catalogue to the geographical student will Le found in the comparatively simple alphabetical arrangements for the headings of countries and places, combined with the names of geographical writers, which last often serve a short cuts to any particular atlas or map. Thus, under the head of “Ptolemy,” the pillar and foundation of ancient geography, there are seventy-four entries referring to the various editions and copies of his “Geographica.” Turning to the names of the fathers of modern geography, Ortelius and Mercator, we find under the former twenty-nine entries describevening the various copies and editions of his “Theatrum orbis Terrarurn.” The geographical labours of his contemporary and friend, Mercator, will be best realised by a reference to the heading “World: Atlas: Modern,” p. 4495, where will be found probably the most complete list of Mercator's atlases extant, ranging from 5495 to 1636.
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Geographical Notes . Nature 33, 63–64 (1885). https://doi.org/10.1038/033063b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/033063b0