Reference books
These cover a wide range of topics relating to maps and the history of
cartography including modern atlases, gazetteers and cartobibliographies.
The shelves are arranged by subject and geographical area. Reference books
not on the open shelves can be ordered.
 |
Atlases |
World, national and regional atlases from
1500 to the present day |
|
Gazetteers |
Books containing place names with their
grid references. Some provide additional information. |
|
History of Cartography |
Books about mapmaking, mapmakers, cartobibliographies
- any books concerned with cartographic materials. |
Ordnance Survey
The Map Library holds the most comprehensive, publicly accessible collection
of Ordnance Survey maps in the world.
In Volumes
- 25" to 1 mile (c. 1:2500) and 5 feet to 1 mile (1: 1056) for
London. All editions up to World War II.
- 6" to 1 mile (1:10,560) County Series for England and Wales
- 1" to 1 mile first, second and third editions (England and Wales),
first and second editions (Scotland and Ireland).
On Microfiche/Microfilm
- First edition 1:2500 County Series for England and Wales. All editions
of the home counties County Series (1:2500) and London (1:2500 and 1:1056).
- Latest editions of Ordnance Survey 1:2500 and 1:1250 (c. 50 inches
to 1 mile) for Great Britain and the Irish Republic (also 1:1000) on
microfilm aperture cards.
- All Ordnance Survey 6" County Series up to World War II.
- Ordnance Surveyors' Drawings.
- Latest Large Scale OS LandLine Plus data is available to view and
print in the Reading Room.
Facsimiles
We have many of the most requested antiquarian atlases and maps on facsimile.
These will be offered to readers in the first instance in order
to preserve the originals. Many contain scholarly introductions.
Street plans
British cities and towns.
Public Service Guide
This is a unique reference tool developed by staff consisting of 13 ring
binders containing information on the collections and the history of cartography,
as well as information sources outside the Library. There is a General
and an Ordnance Survey section.
Microform
As well as the Ordnance Survey Material the following
material, from which A4 prints can easily be obtained, is also on microfiche
or microfilm:
- King George III Topographical Collection. Microfilm. Volumes I-XCIX
only.
- Crace Collection (views only).
Journals
There is a selection of the most important periodicals on cartography,
the history of cartography, map collecting, geography and GIS.
Pamphlets and offprints
We have a large collection (Maps Pam) of articles on all aspects of the
history of cartography accumulated over many years.
Electronic resources and Internet access
There are a variety of map-based electronic
resources and Internet sites available.
