Tuesday, July 3, 2007

The Intersection of Art & Science



For the last twenty years we have spent our time locating and selling antique maps and books. While we specialize in the mapping of the US and specifically the West, we also have a weakness for those maps that give an insight into the culture of the time.

Maps have been described as an intersection of the art and science of the time. It's the latest technology, mixed with that cultures understanding, priority and sense of presentation.

There is a whole genre of maps, called "pictorial" maps that experienced a boom in the early twentieth century, they are just thick with the culture and feel of the time.

We have a bit of a weakness for these kind of things.

Maps such as the things done by the great poster artist Lucien Boucher have a feel and aesthetic rich with a modern sense of French design. (Sorry for the glare)

Or historically, the "Herr Hitler's Map" by Yandley shows a pre-War II propaganda campaign by the Americans against the impending onslaught of Hitler. Done in 1938 it shows the cultural assault of the Nazis and even notes "Concentration Camps" in Austria.

No comments: