Map Collection

Map Collection – Collection Development Policy 

Scope 

The Map Collection was formed in 2019, the foundation of the collection are maps donated by Ron and Jane Woellhof. The Woellhof donation contains over 100 maps from the 15th and 16th centuries, the majority of the collection are city views produced by well-known map makers, including Blaeu, Braun, de Fer, Hogenberg, Hondius, Jansson, Mercator, Munster, Ogilby, and Ortelius. The Map Collection holds maps, atlases, and charts by early master cartographers, both printed and manuscript. Maps are collected in multiple editions to reflect the changing understanding of world geography, with duplicates of the same edition collected in order to hold both a colored and uncolored copy. 

The Map Collection supports research on the social, political, technological, artistic, and historical aspects of cartography, exploration, and spatial data visualization. 

Types of Materials 

The Map Collection contains maps, atlases, and charts, both printed and manuscript. Title pages from early atlases are collected in addition to the atlas’ maps. Emphasis is placed on acquiring items in their original states. Facsimiles are purchased, but sparingly. Material is collected in all languages.

Existing Collection Strengths 

The collection is predominantly composed of pre-17th century city views of Europe. Through the Woellhof donation, 74 maps from the Braun and Hogenberg atlas Citivates Orbis Terrarum are held. 

In addition to 17th century city views of Europe, the collection includes distinct sub-collections: 

• Historic Maps of Cuba - The maps in the collection date from the 18th to 20th century and cover a variety of topics, including population, soil, and roadways.
• Stephen Powys Marks London Collection - The Stephen Powys Marks Collection is comprised of views of London ranging from original maps and plans from the 18th to the 20th centuries, and facsimiles from the 16th and 17th centuries. There is a range of secondary materials on the city of London as well. It is comprehensive in nature consisting of over 2,400 items, including thirty-three atlases and approximately six hundred maps. 
• Geologic Atlas of the United States - this is a complete collection of the 227 folios printed by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1894 and 1945. 
• Brazos County Aerial Photographs - aerial photographs of Brazos County, Texas taken between 1930 and 2002. 

Current Collecting Foci 

The Library seeks to acquire landmark maps depicting advancements in the understanding of world geography, early printing techniques, and visualization of spatial information. Current foci include cartographic material depicting global exploration from both European and non-European perspectives, Indigenous Cartographies, and statistical graphic maps. 

Institutional Repository / Digitization Projects 

1940s Brazos County Aerial Photographs: The Library’s set of 1940s Brazos County Aerial Photographs are digitized and indexed, using a highway map from 1980, and available through the library website. A 1980 highway map is used as the index to enable viewers to easily find the aerial photograph that shows their area of interest by using modern landmarks and roads. 

Geologic Atlas of the United States: A set of 227 folios published by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1894 and 1945. Each folio includes both topographic and geologic maps for each quad represented in that folio, as well as descriptions of the basic and economic geology of the area. In agreement with the United States Government, the Libraries maintain the complete physical set of the Atlas as the country wide preservation and access copy. 

Historic Maps of Cuba: This collection contains digital versions of historical maps of Cuba held by the Libraries. The maps date from the 18th to 20th century and cover a variety of topics, including population, soil, and roadways. 

Stephen Powys Marks London Collection: This digital exhibit features maps and architectural drawings from the larger collection. Digital copies will be made available in batches until the entirety of the collection, that is within the public domain, has been added.

Connections with Other Cushing Collections 

Chapman Texas & Borderlands Collection: The Chapman Texas & Borderlands Collection includes an increasing number of maps of Texas. Rare maps like Stephen F. Austin’s 1830 Map of Texas, Jean-Frederic Rosa’s 1851 Mapa De Los Estados Unidos Mejicanos Arreglado a la distribucion que en diversos decretos ha hecho del territorio el Congreso General Mejicano, and Guillaume de L’Isle’s 1718 Carte de la Louisiane et du cours du Mississipi. Maps focused on Texas are put in the Chapman Texas Collection. 

Colonial Mexican Collection: Material in the Map Collection will be of interest to researchers using the Colonial Mexican Collection, maps showing Mexico and it’s cities during a number of time periods are held. 

Maps of Imaginary Places Collection: (curated jointly by Maps and Science Fiction & Fantasy) is composed of maps and atlases depicting imaginary and allegorical locations. The Collection is housed under the Science Fiction and Fantasy Collection. Maps of imaginary locations are put in the Maps of Imaginary Places Collection. 

Maritime Collection: The Maritime Collection consists mainly of books and serial publications; however, maps, atlases, and charts are held in the collection. Maps directly related to pre-steam maritime history are put in the Maritime Collection. 

Mary and Mavis P. Kelsey Collections: Maps of America are held in this collection.

Cooper K. Ragan Military History Collection: Maps related to the United States involvement in military conflicts, historic fortifications, and military planning are held in the Ragan Collection. 

Rare Books & Manuscript Collection: The Rare Collection houses several maps and atlases covering a variety of locations.

Curator: Sierra Laddusaw 

Created 7/24/2020 

Updated 9/22/2020