Qiong Jun di yu quan tu (Hainan Island) - 1836 - from Linda Rui Feng
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Qiong Jun di yu quan tu (Hainan Island) - 1836 - from Linda Rui Feng
"This vibrant pictorial map is oriented southward to look across the sea toward Hainan Island off the southern coast of China. It contains detailed ethnographic descriptions of the indigenous Li people and shows that, even by the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), this island was still very much culturally distinct and seemingly "beyond the pale." Linda Rui Feng
"This map is a striking cartographic product, addressing contemporary concerns, while employing emerging geospatial methods. The risk score combines hex bins representing population density and risk factors. These are then combined on the main map which uses ‘pinwheels’ to represent risks across the country. A stunning and relevant example of the potential of maps." Dan Scollon
Frank Dorn’s Map of Peiping (Beijing) - Edward Lanfranco
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Frank Dorn’s Map of Peiping (Beijing) - Edward Lanfranco
The artwork is titled "A Map and History of Peiping" and was created by Frank Dorn in 1936.
"Sometimes I feel like the Will Rogers of cartography. I’ve never met a map I didn’t like. This makes it difficult to single out any one representation of China, the primary focus of my collection, as being a “favorite.” How to decide which map: by intended audience? (schoolchild, tourist, geologist, apparatchik); format size? (from pocket atlas to wall map); publication century (17th to 21st CE); creator ethnicity? (Chinese, Japanese, European, or American); sponsoring organization? (the CIA, the Chinese Communist Party, or Corona beer).
As a CMS/Calafia cadre, Sinologist, and Beijing historian, I’ll go with the 1936 Map and History of Peiping created by Frank “Pinky” Dorn (1901-1981). Note Jo Mora influences illustrating a city in flux. Dorn’s biography reveals an unappreciated 20th CE American polymath. Imagine 1920s education in an San Francisco art school then graduating from West Point. Dorn’s accomplishments include decorated warrior, published novelist, linguist, cartographer, painter, and gourmand." Edward Lanfranco
"One of my favorite star maps was produced by Johann Doppelmayr around 1720 and depicts the state of astronomical knowledge in the early 1700s. In the center is a spectacular representation of Copernicus’s Sun-centered heliocentric system. In the upper left corner are images of the seven known planets overlapping the Sun. In the upper right are diagrams of other solar systems believed to exist around the stars. In the lower left is a depiction of the solar eclipse of May 12, 1706, with California shown as an island. In the lower right are three cosmological systems: Ptolemy’s geocentric system, allegorically obliterated by contemporary astronomical instruments; Tycho Brahe’s hybrid system showing Earth in the center orbited by the Moon and the Sun, which is surrounded by the other planets; and Copernicus’ model endorsed by Urania, the goddess of Astronomy." Nick Kanas
Choreographic Map of the Famous Places in the Kingdom of Judea and Israel
"This 36cmx46cm map, published by Abraham Ortelius in 1590, is based on Tilemann Stella’s Holy Land map of 1552. It is oriented with North at the top. The West extends from Sidon in Phoenicia to Egypt, and the East from Phoenicia to the southern tip of the Dead Sea. The Holy Land is divided into the two kingdoms of Judea and Israel. Samaria, upper Galilee, and lower Galilee are included in Israel. The 12 tribes, descended from Jacob, are demarcated by dashed lines. The cartouche and legend are decorated in the style of Ortelius’ home city of Antwerp. The pastel coloring throughout is another Antwerpian favorite.
This map is unique because of its keystone list of symbols, which appear in the Mediterranean Sea. This is possibly the first map to have such a list." Leonard Rothman, MD
Created by Johann Baptist Homann, a renowned German cartographer, around 1716.
"Part two of this story. As we were relocating here in early 2024, our daughter knew my room had an adjacent bathroom with tub, so she decided to search online for a map-themed shower curtain. When I opened the gift, I was overjoyed to find the curtain’s map was the same Regni Mexicani map that hung on the wall outside the bathroom. It was pure serendipity for her to choose a curtain with THIS special map; she did not look earlier to see what maps I had chosen for the room. I smile every time I point out these two maps to visitors." Thomas Sander
"Willem Blaeu’s vignette maps of four continents, first created in 1617.
I am drawn to maps that combine scientific, historical and educational content with artistic and decorative features
My favorites are vignette maps from Blaeu, Speed, Jansson and others
At a time way before National Geographic and other magazines, and now web-based search engines providing educational information, etc. vignettes augmented the geographical details available to the viewer of a map in the 17th century, at least in terms of the appearance and dress of the inhabitants of the regions included on the map, as well as miniature maps of prominent cities in the region. They also include depictions of animals frequently found in their typical habitats.
My favorite vignette maps:
Blaeu’s vignette maps of 4 continents 1st created in 1617
North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia
Of these, Blaeu’s map of the Americas “Americae Nova Tabula” is my favorite
I love a challenging hunt for a difficult acquisition (particularly when it’s successful) and Blaeu’s map of the Americas was the most difficult for me to acquire. I don’t yet own Blaeu’s vignette map of the world, but if I did, it would become my favorite
Interesting to see what was known and not known in the 17th century about the region with which I am most familiar and what was made-up
Display of inaccuracies and imaginary features
The artistic embellishments such as sea monsters and sailing ships flying the flags of various contemporary naval powers, as well as the pleasing artistic composition and colors enhance the viewer’s interest and appreciation of the map." Richard Breiman
"At the risk of being obvious, Jo Mora's carte making ranks among my favorites, especially his depiction of Yosemite. I love pictorial maps, unique design, and a sense of humor. In addition to featuring many actual sites in Yosemite, Jo's visual puns stand out, showcasing his engaging and playful nature. For me, the highlights on the watercolor are the numerous vignettes that correspond to the journal entries he scribed upon his first visit, in 1903, to Yosemite, thirty years before he created the map. If you are curious about the connections, search for a copy of From Dust to Granite—The Yosemite Art and Writing of Jo Mora—a must-read for anyone who loves Yosemite." Peter Hiller
Shows part of north London in 1863 - Stephen Johnson
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Shows part of north London in 1863 - Stephen Johnson
"This is a sheet showing part of north London from Edward Weller’s 1863 nine-sheet map of London. The map is centered on Highbury in north Islington and captures the city growing northwards. It illustrates for me the superimposition of the Victorian city filling the gaps in the 18th-century and earlier streetscape." Stephen Johnson
Louis Hennepin's Map of North America - Thomas Worth
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Louis Hennepin's Map of North America - Thomas Worth
"Hennepin accompanied LaSalle on his exploration of the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River basin for France, and then published this extensive map of North America after LaSalle’s death to falsely imply that he had explored the river to its mouth. The map erroneously shows the mouth to be some 300 miles too far to the west; some commentators have speculated this was deliberate, to discourage colonization of the Gulf area by rival nations. This excellent summary of the state of knowledge of the geography of North America at the beginning of the 18th century delineates the areas controlled by Britain, France, and Spain. Interestingly, the map is dedicated to William III, King of England, when Hennepin fell out of favor with the French government." Thomas Worth
Miriam Sweeney's Pride of San Francisco Map - David Kageyama
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Miriam Sweeney's Pride of San Francisco Map - David Kageyama
Drawing inspiration from city aerial views, Sweeney's work explores the urban landscape that sits somewhere between order and chaos, structure and collapse, expression and control.
"When I look at Miriam Sweeney's art of San Francisco, I marvel at the mosaic and bright, contrasting colors of her artwork, and it reminds me of Van Gogh's "Starry Nights" where his impressionist artwork depicts the abstract concept of "Turbulence." His Artwork was an imaginary depiction of a concept that was not readily visible …the currents of the wind, with the evidence of moving leaves, etc. Anyway, Miriam's artwork of San Francisco reminds me of the "Mosaic of People" consisting of a "Mosaic of Ideas" from a "Mosaic of Cultures." San Francisco is definitely a "Mosaic of Diversity within the City!" David Kageyama
“This map stood out to me because it has a very detailed key that highlights the locations that were relevant to Manhattan at the time. It also shows the detailed ferry routes, which were likely a more important form of transportation in comparison to today.“ Jack Gerwe 8/17/25
Plan of the City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland Jefferson Terr. 1859
"This is the first printed map of Denver showing the three cities on the banks of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. “Plan of the City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland Jefferson Terr. 1859.” By H.M. Fosdick & L.N. Tappan. Shortly after this printing, the three towns merged into Denver City. The fledgling community was created as the headquarters for the enormous gold rush to Western Kansas Territory beginning in the fall of 1858, which is believed to have brought 100,000 eager miners and others to the diggings in the Denver area and the mountains nearby. Within two years, the new territory of Colorado was formed." Wes Brown
Temperance Problem and Social Reform Map - Boston 1900 - Kris Butler
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Temperance Problem and Social Reform Map - Boston 1900 - Kris Butler
Map of Boston and environs alcohol licensing laws circa 1900.
"This is a map of Boston’s licensing laws included in the 7th through 9th editions of Rowntree and Sherwell’s ‘The Temperance Problem and Social Reform’ (1900). I found it when writing ‘Drink Maps in Victorian Britain’ and purchased a copy of the book, but as I don’t believe in breaking books for the maps. I assumed I’d just admire it from within the pages. I kept looking online until I found a version in “poor” condition (cover and several pages missing- but all maps intact!), which is how a copy of this map ended up on my wall." Kris Butler
"I love this NOAA map of Fire Island for so many reasons. First of all, I love Fire Island! I first came here with my parents in 1956 when I was three years old when we rented a house in Lonelyville. Unfortunately, Lonelyville is not shown on the map, but it lies between Atlantique and Dunewood, where my parents bought a house in 1968. Today I share the house with two of my brothers.
One of the things that the map makes abundantly clear is how fragile this 30-mile-long barrier beach/sandbar is. Using the scale, you can see that it is only about 400 yards from the ocean to the bay in our part of the island. Also, the map shows how shallow most of the Great South Bay is, with marked depths of 1 to 3 feet! You can see where channels have been dredged to allow for navigation. You can also see how littoral drift or current-driven migration of sand has extended the island to the west, almost 5 miles from the location of the Fire Island lighthouse, which was built on what was then the very western tip of the island in 1858!" Larry Lusk
Qiong Jun di yu quan tu (Hainan Island) - 1836 - from Linda Rui Feng
"This vibrant pictorial map is oriented southward to look across the sea toward Hainan Island off the southern coast of China. It contains detailed ethnographic descriptions of the indigenous Li people and shows that, even by the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), this island was still very much culturally distinct and seemingly "beyond the pale." Linda Rui Feng
"This map is a striking cartographic product, addressing contemporary concerns, while employing emerging geospatial methods. The risk score combines hex bins representing population density and risk factors. These are then combined on the main map which uses ‘pinwheels’ to represent risks across the country. A stunning and relevant example of the potential of maps." Dan Scollon
Frank Dorn’s Map of Peiping (Beijing) - Edward Lanfranco
The artwork is titled "A Map and History of Peiping" and was created by Frank Dorn in 1936.
"Sometimes I feel like the Will Rogers of cartography. I’ve never met a map I didn’t like. This makes it difficult to single out any one representation of China, the primary focus of my collection, as being a “favorite.” How to decide which map: by intended audience? (schoolchild, tourist, geologist, apparatchik); format size? (from pocket atlas to wall map); publication century (17th to 21st CE); creator ethnicity? (Chinese, Japanese, European, or American); sponsoring organization? (the CIA, the Chinese Communist Party, or Corona beer).
As a CMS/Calafia cadre, Sinologist, and Beijing historian, I’ll go with the 1936 Map and History of Peiping created by Frank “Pinky” Dorn (1901-1981). Note Jo Mora influences illustrating a city in flux. Dorn’s biography reveals an unappreciated 20th CE American polymath. Imagine 1920s education in an San Francisco art school then graduating from West Point. Dorn’s accomplishments include decorated warrior, published novelist, linguist, cartographer, painter, and gourmand." Edward Lanfranco
"One of my favorite star maps was produced by Johann Doppelmayr around 1720 and depicts the state of astronomical knowledge in the early 1700s. In the center is a spectacular representation of Copernicus’s Sun-centered heliocentric system. In the upper left corner are images of the seven known planets overlapping the Sun. In the upper right are diagrams of other solar systems believed to exist around the stars. In the lower left is a depiction of the solar eclipse of May 12, 1706, with California shown as an island. In the lower right are three cosmological systems: Ptolemy’s geocentric system, allegorically obliterated by contemporary astronomical instruments; Tycho Brahe’s hybrid system showing Earth in the center orbited by the Moon and the Sun, which is surrounded by the other planets; and Copernicus’ model endorsed by Urania, the goddess of Astronomy." Nick Kanas
Choreographic Map of the Famous Places in the Kingdom of Judea and Israel
"This 36cmx46cm map, published by Abraham Ortelius in 1590, is based on Tilemann Stella’s Holy Land map of 1552. It is oriented with North at the top. The West extends from Sidon in Phoenicia to Egypt, and the East from Phoenicia to the southern tip of the Dead Sea. The Holy Land is divided into the two kingdoms of Judea and Israel. Samaria, upper Galilee, and lower Galilee are included in Israel. The 12 tribes, descended from Jacob, are demarcated by dashed lines. The cartouche and legend are decorated in the style of Ortelius’ home city of Antwerp. The pastel coloring throughout is another Antwerpian favorite.
This map is unique because of its keystone list of symbols, which appear in the Mediterranean Sea. This is possibly the first map to have such a list." Leonard Rothman, MD
Created by Johann Baptist Homann, a renowned German cartographer, around 1716.
"Part two of this story. As we were relocating here in early 2024, our daughter knew my room had an adjacent bathroom with tub, so she decided to search online for a map-themed shower curtain. When I opened the gift, I was overjoyed to find the curtain’s map was the same Regni Mexicani map that hung on the wall outside the bathroom. It was pure serendipity for her to choose a curtain with THIS special map; she did not look earlier to see what maps I had chosen for the room. I smile every time I point out these two maps to visitors." Thomas Sander
"Willem Blaeu’s vignette maps of four continents, first created in 1617.
I am drawn to maps that combine scientific, historical and educational content with artistic and decorative features
My favorites are vignette maps from Blaeu, Speed, Jansson and others
At a time way before National Geographic and other magazines, and now web-based search engines providing educational information, etc. vignettes augmented the geographical details available to the viewer of a map in the 17th century, at least in terms of the appearance and dress of the inhabitants of the regions included on the map, as well as miniature maps of prominent cities in the region. They also include depictions of animals frequently found in their typical habitats.
My favorite vignette maps:
Blaeu’s vignette maps of 4 continents 1st created in 1617
North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia
Of these, Blaeu’s map of the Americas “Americae Nova Tabula” is my favorite
I love a challenging hunt for a difficult acquisition (particularly when it’s successful) and Blaeu’s map of the Americas was the most difficult for me to acquire. I don’t yet own Blaeu’s vignette map of the world, but if I did, it would become my favorite
Interesting to see what was known and not known in the 17th century about the region with which I am most familiar and what was made-up
Display of inaccuracies and imaginary features
The artistic embellishments such as sea monsters and sailing ships flying the flags of various contemporary naval powers, as well as the pleasing artistic composition and colors enhance the viewer’s interest and appreciation of the map." Richard Breiman
"At the risk of being obvious, Jo Mora's carte making ranks among my favorites, especially his depiction of Yosemite. I love pictorial maps, unique design, and a sense of humor. In addition to featuring many actual sites in Yosemite, Jo's visual puns stand out, showcasing his engaging and playful nature. For me, the highlights on the watercolor are the numerous vignettes that correspond to the journal entries he scribed upon his first visit, in 1903, to Yosemite, thirty years before he created the map. If you are curious about the connections, search for a copy of From Dust to Granite—The Yosemite Art and Writing of Jo Mora—a must-read for anyone who loves Yosemite." Peter Hiller
Shows part of north London in 1863 - Stephen Johnson
"This is a sheet showing part of north London from Edward Weller’s 1863 nine-sheet map of London. The map is centered on Highbury in north Islington and captures the city growing northwards. It illustrates for me the superimposition of the Victorian city filling the gaps in the 18th-century and earlier streetscape." Stephen Johnson
Louis Hennepin's Map of North America - Thomas Worth
"Hennepin accompanied LaSalle on his exploration of the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River basin for France, and then published this extensive map of North America after LaSalle’s death to falsely imply that he had explored the river to its mouth. The map erroneously shows the mouth to be some 300 miles too far to the west; some commentators have speculated this was deliberate, to discourage colonization of the Gulf area by rival nations. This excellent summary of the state of knowledge of the geography of North America at the beginning of the 18th century delineates the areas controlled by Britain, France, and Spain. Interestingly, the map is dedicated to William III, King of England, when Hennepin fell out of favor with the French government." Thomas Worth
Miriam Sweeney's Pride of San Francisco Map - David Kageyama
Drawing inspiration from city aerial views, Sweeney's work explores the urban landscape that sits somewhere between order and chaos, structure and collapse, expression and control.
"When I look at Miriam Sweeney's art of San Francisco, I marvel at the mosaic and bright, contrasting colors of her artwork, and it reminds me of Van Gogh's "Starry Nights" where his impressionist artwork depicts the abstract concept of "Turbulence." His Artwork was an imaginary depiction of a concept that was not readily visible …the currents of the wind, with the evidence of moving leaves, etc. Anyway, Miriam's artwork of San Francisco reminds me of the "Mosaic of People" consisting of a "Mosaic of Ideas" from a "Mosaic of Cultures." San Francisco is definitely a "Mosaic of Diversity within the City!" David Kageyama
“This map stood out to me because it has a very detailed key that highlights the locations that were relevant to Manhattan at the time. It also shows the detailed ferry routes, which were likely a more important form of transportation in comparison to today.“ Jack Gerwe 8/17/25
Plan of the City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland Jefferson Terr. 1859
"This is the first printed map of Denver showing the three cities on the banks of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. “Plan of the City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland Jefferson Terr. 1859.” By H.M. Fosdick & L.N. Tappan. Shortly after this printing, the three towns merged into Denver City. The fledgling community was created as the headquarters for the enormous gold rush to Western Kansas Territory beginning in the fall of 1858, which is believed to have brought 100,000 eager miners and others to the diggings in the Denver area and the mountains nearby. Within two years, the new territory of Colorado was formed." Wes Brown
Temperance Problem and Social Reform Map - Boston 1900 - Kris Butler
Map of Boston and environs alcohol licensing laws circa 1900.
"This is a map of Boston’s licensing laws included in the 7th through 9th editions of Rowntree and Sherwell’s ‘The Temperance Problem and Social Reform’ (1900). I found it when writing ‘Drink Maps in Victorian Britain’ and purchased a copy of the book, but as I don’t believe in breaking books for the maps. I assumed I’d just admire it from within the pages. I kept looking online until I found a version in “poor” condition (cover and several pages missing- but all maps intact!), which is how a copy of this map ended up on my wall." Kris Butler
"I love this NOAA map of Fire Island for so many reasons. First of all, I love Fire Island! I first came here with my parents in 1956 when I was three years old when we rented a house in Lonelyville. Unfortunately, Lonelyville is not shown on the map, but it lies between Atlantique and Dunewood, where my parents bought a house in 1968. Today I share the house with two of my brothers.
One of the things that the map makes abundantly clear is how fragile this 30-mile-long barrier beach/sandbar is. Using the scale, you can see that it is only about 400 yards from the ocean to the bay in our part of the island. Also, the map shows how shallow most of the Great South Bay is, with marked depths of 1 to 3 feet! You can see where channels have been dredged to allow for navigation. You can also see how littoral drift or current-driven migration of sand has extended the island to the west, almost 5 miles from the location of the Fire Island lighthouse, which was built on what was then the very western tip of the island in 1858!" Larry Lusk
As a map collector and student of Spanish history and literature, I’d say one of my focus areas is maps of Spain and Spanish exploration during the Age of Discovery, a space where geography and storytelling often meet.
This map holds special meaning for me. I studied Don Quijote at the University of Madrid, and later worked in Spain advising the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language on expanding the Instituto Cervantes, a cultural and language institute with over 75 locations around the world. Its headquarters in Alcalá de Henares, Cervantes’s birthplace, reflects the deep cultural connection between the author and Spain’s literary legacy.
After years of searching, I acquired this version from an 1805 edition through an antique book dealer. Original copies from the 1780 Ibarra edition are rare and expensive, typically found only as part of a complete multi-volume set. I later wrote about this map in Califia, the journal of the California Map Society. You can read the article on my website.
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Christopher Hughes
(@chughes)
Aug 18 2025
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Introduction to Don Quijote
Don Quijote was published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, and is widely regarded as the first (and most read) modern novel. Known simply as El Quijote in Spain, it is a cornerstone of Spanish identity and one of the most influential works in Western literature, translated into more than 145 languages.
Driven mad by his obsessive reading of chivalric tales, Don Quijote sets out as a self-declared knight-errant to defend the helpless and serve his imagined lady, Dulcinea. Accompanied by his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, he roams the countryside in a delusional state, seeing windmills as giants and inns as castles, guided more by fantasy than reality.
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Christopher Hughes
(@chughes)
Aug 18 2025
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Decorative Cartouche Symbolism
In the map cartouche, a suit of knight’s armor stands, topped not with a helmet, but a barber’s shaving basin. While there’s no official explanation for this curious detail, it’s a fitting nod to Don Quijote’s mix of heroism and absurdity. The armor evokes his chivalric ideals, while the basin, mistaken by Quijote in the novel for the magical helmet of Mambrino, reminds us of the comic misunderstandings that define his journey.
Drawn by the king’s official cartographer, Tomás López, this map treats a fictional story with scientific seriousness. The cartouche, by contrast, adds a playful, self-aware touch. And the armor’s emptiness may suggest something deeper: the death of Don Quijote, or the fading of his imagined identity. By the end of the novel, Quijote renounces his delusions and dies soon after—a quiet end to a grand illusion.
Together, the armor and basin form a visual pun: the noble dream and the everyday object, the myth and the man, side by side.
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Christopher Hughes
(@chughes)
Aug 18 2025
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Quijote's home
The location of Don Quijote's fictional hometown (and writing of the novel) has been the source of intense debate by Cervantes scholars, as the novel famously begins:
"Somewhere in La Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember..."
Many scholars originally placed the location as a small town in southern La Mancha, Argamasilla de Alba, where Cervantes spent time in prison for financial irregularities during his time as a tax collector. However, this has been largely dispelled due to a lack of documentary evidence, and the consensus point of view is that The Quijote was likely penned in Seville, where Cervantes was once again in prison.
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Christopher Hughes
(@chughes)
Aug 18 2025
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Quijote's adventures
Perhaps the best-known adventure from the novel is when Quijote charges the windmills, believing they are threatening giants waving their arms from atop the hills of La Mancha. His attack fails, and he ends up badly bruised. This episode, marked on the key as "aventura de los molinos de viento," has come to symbolize quixotic idealism, fighting imagined enemies.
The windmills also reflect broader themes. In Cervantes’ time, they represented the growing mechanization of agriculture, signaling a shift from traditional rural life to a more industrialized economy. In this light, Quijote’s attack speaks to a deeper resistance to change and a nostalgic defense of the past.
In modern life, the windmills can symbolize impersonal systems—technology, bureaucracy, or globalization—that feel monolithic and inhuman. Quijote’s battle, then, remains relevant: a poignant image of the individual confronting forces beyond their control.
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Christopher Hughes
(@chughes)
Aug 18 2025
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Quijote's end
Location #35, the last location on the map key, indicates the point from which a defeated Quijote "returned to his hometown and died."
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Christopher Hughes
(@chughes)
Aug 18 2025
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Cervantes' cartographic knowledge
Cervantes was well-traveled and possessed a very sophisticat- ed level of cartographic knowledge for his time. He was active when Ortelius published The Theatrum Orbis Terrarum in 1570, and it is likely he had first-hand knowledge of the text.
Cervantes traveled to Rome, where he worked as an aide to a Cardinal, served in the Spanish Armada, and battled the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto. On a return trip from Genoa, pirates kidnapped Cervantes and held him prisoner in Algiers for several years. References to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas frequently appear in Cervantes' writing. The Spanish countryside described in The Quijote is likely based on his extensive travels throughout Spain when he worked as a tax collector for the Crown.
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Christopher Hughes
(@chughes)
Aug 18 2025
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Geographic Detail
The base map for Quijote's route was another map by López, the Atlas General de España, which was the first effort to map the entire Peninsula at a detailed regional level. However, the map lacked local geographic detail in much of Spain.
To gather the geographic information for his atlas, López divided the provinces into circles with diameters of three leagues (16,718 m), and sent questionnaires to local priests with instructions to map local features with their town as the center-point of the circle. López would then compile the surveys and draw the map in consultation with other sources.
Member Favorite Maps - California Map Society (CMS)
Member Favorite Maps - California Map Society (CMS)
July 22, 2025
SPECIAL CALAFIA FEATURE
Calafia is going to try a new feature for the upcoming issue, in collaboration with Pixeum, the website. Our plan is to devote several pages in the upcoming issue to “Member Favorite Maps.” Send us an image or link to one of your favorite maps, along with your caption (maximum of three or four sentences) about why you like it, why it is special, and why you find it compelling. Perhaps it has special details you appreciate, or maybe there’s a story about how you discovered it or acquired it. You don’t have to own the map to submit a map. You just have to appreciate it. We will place a copy of your map on a page in Calafia, along with your name, caption, and a QR code linking to a high-resolution copy of the map on Pixeum.
If you own a map and don’t have or would like to have a high-res copy of your map, Tom Paper and Pixeum have volunteered to scan that map in his studio so that others can enjoy it online at Pixeum.
So, please email us an image or a link to your favorite map, along with your caption, and we will hopefully incorporate it into the upcoming issue of Calafia. The deadline for submissions is August 15, 2025. See below for a sample Calafia page of Member Favorite Maps. Scanning the QR code will take you directly to Pixeum. Or, on a computer, click on the following links:
#38112
#38113
