2007 - 2008
Highlights
December 18, 2008
We featured highlights from our collection with a focus on some new additions, including: a beautiful 1830’s map of Florence, a large collection of vintage U.S. road maps, an atlas of the environs of Paris (1762), and many more wonderful maps and atlases.
Linguistic Maps
November 18, 2008
This month highlights ethnographic and linguistic maps from our extensive collection. Maps are a powerful tool for understanding the locations of both current and historical cultures and where particular languages and dialects are spoken. Linguistic maps are especially useful in understanding countries such as Papua New Guinea where over 800 languages are spoken.
Cartographic Beasts
October 16, 2008
Featured the often strange and unusual creatures and animals that are portrayed on early maps. Some were drawn as descriptive illustrations of newly seen animals and others are used as symbols of strength, power and knowledge. Even more interesting are the strange human-like faces that were often used in decoration.
Charting the Seas
September 18, 2008
A celebration of the mapping of the oceans and the Great Lakes - including early nautical charts of the Pacific Ocean, Lake Michigan and some 18th century French charts.
Olympics
August 21, 2008
A celebration of the Olympic Games with maps of Olympic cities - including the ancient site of Olympia - and other items related to the Olympic Games and their history.
Africa
May 15, 2008
Our theme for May is Africa. Please join us as we explore Africa with maps and books from the 16th century to the present day.
Games
April 20, 2008
A fun exploration of maps from games, map game boards, and map jigsaw puzzles. We invite you to bring your own!
World Capitals
March 17, 2008
Celebrate the world's capitals with maps and travel guides from our extensive collection.
China
February 20, 2008
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with maps, books and other interesting items relating to China, including some materials from the Asia Library. Lunar year 4706 is the year of the Rat.
Literary Maps
January 17, 2008
We explore Middle Earth, the Beat Greenwich Village, Dashiell Hammett's San Francisco and other literary landscapes
Cartographic Feast
December 20, 2007
We will feature maps relating to food including: a 1642 Dutch map of the Spice Islands, A&P's large and colorful pictorial food map of the United States from 1932, and various wine, cheese, coffee and tea maps.
Empires
November 15, 2007
This month we will feature maps showing the Roman, Ottoman, Mughal and other empires over the ages. Featured items will include The Peutinger Table, an 18th century reproduction of a 4th century Roman road map, and a 17th century map of New Spain.
Detroit
October 18, 2007
This month we celebrate Detroit, featuring over 300 years of maps as well as historical travel guides, materials relating to the 1967 riot, the 1807 Woodward plan of Detroit and much more.
The University of Michigan: Past and Present
September 20, 2007
This month will feature the beautiful art deco-style map Down in Ann Arbor Town (a detailed 1869 map of Ann Arbor), Vietnam era editions of the The Michigan Daily and other gems from the Library's collection. Help us to celebrate 190 years of University history.
Maps of the Heavens
August 16, 2007
This month we will showcase maps of the heavens, celestial images, star charts and planetary maps. Humans have been making maps of the stars and planets for millennia. The Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-Ray Observatory images take us to the edges of our universe. Please join us for fun and exploration.
Pictorial Maps
July 19, 2007
This month we are featuring pictorial maps, old and new. We will explore images on maps from the early days of European exploration to art deco and more. These fascinating and colorful pictorial images serve as a doorway into the minds and culture of the time periods in which they were created.