It’s not totally dead, but is now reduced to a very artisan craft. There are still hand painted globes out there, and the hand-drawn fantasy map trade does well, but it is kinda sad that when we become super good at something like map making it takes all the artistry out of it
Really interesting article. When I look at ancient maps, I have a really hard time understanding the story that they tell. It is wonderful to have someone interpret the story for me!
This was such a beautiful read. I know nothing about maps but a little about fictional (and maybe, not fictional!) lost worlds of old. Anyway, glad i found you.. had me googling 'antique map shops Sydney Australia' right away.. : )
I love your love of maps. Whenever someone has something that they are specifically passion about it, I find myself excited about it, too, even if it's a thing that I'm not personally interested in. Anytime something about maps comes up here on Substack, I think of you.
It's a wonderful thing huh.. that somebody can write passionately about something that THEY are interested in that YOU are not but it's thrilling all the same. Thanks god (or otherwise..) for these people <3
Absolutely! Whenever I'm at a social gathering, I try to find this thing that other people are into in conversation and when I do it makes the time so much more interesting.
Raphael's time among Utopians slightly reminds me of Genly's time among Gethenians in "The Left Hand of Darkness". They're both diplomatic foreigners trying to make sense of cultures that are wildly different from their own. I wonder if Le Guin might have drawn inspiration from More's story.
Ooo that's interesting! I tend to read more dystopian than utopian, so I didn't know that. Will keep this in mind when I visit those other novels you'd mentioned. :) Particularly looking forward to The New Atlantis. Bacon fascinates me as a historical figure and a writer. (And not just cause his name is my favorite breakfast food).
Ha! I know, I'm excited to read more of Bacon's philosophy, unfortunately he died before he finished The New Atlantis so we only get a couple chapters in and then it ends abruptly and we don't get to know what the rest of the world is like!
Fascinating. Thanks for so much detail. There's an exhibition at the British Library at the moment about fantasy lands. I daresay that will include maps such the ones you've shown. https://www.bl.uk/whats-on/
I agree, Elle. I intend to see it early in the new year and write a review of it. It closes on 24th Feb. I don't work for the British Library's PR department by the way 😂
This is so well written and insightful, thanks for posting it.
Ah, thank you!
The death of cartography is very sad. Nice to see some love still goes around.
It’s not totally dead, but is now reduced to a very artisan craft. There are still hand painted globes out there, and the hand-drawn fantasy map trade does well, but it is kinda sad that when we become super good at something like map making it takes all the artistry out of it
Thanks for the history. Really interesting.
Really interesting article. When I look at ancient maps, I have a really hard time understanding the story that they tell. It is wonderful to have someone interpret the story for me!
This was such a beautiful read. I know nothing about maps but a little about fictional (and maybe, not fictional!) lost worlds of old. Anyway, glad i found you.. had me googling 'antique map shops Sydney Australia' right away.. : )
I love your love of maps. Whenever someone has something that they are specifically passion about it, I find myself excited about it, too, even if it's a thing that I'm not personally interested in. Anytime something about maps comes up here on Substack, I think of you.
It's a wonderful thing huh.. that somebody can write passionately about something that THEY are interested in that YOU are not but it's thrilling all the same. Thanks god (or otherwise..) for these people <3
Absolutely! Whenever I'm at a social gathering, I try to find this thing that other people are into in conversation and when I do it makes the time so much more interesting.
What an interesting post! I love maps like these. Fantasy novels often contain maps of their fictional worlds, but I had not heard of utopian maps.
I love fantasy maps!!!!
Raphael's time among Utopians slightly reminds me of Genly's time among Gethenians in "The Left Hand of Darkness". They're both diplomatic foreigners trying to make sense of cultures that are wildly different from their own. I wonder if Le Guin might have drawn inspiration from More's story.
That's actually a theme in a lot of utopian novels! Including Peach Blossom Spring, The New Atlantis, Herland, etc.
Ooo that's interesting! I tend to read more dystopian than utopian, so I didn't know that. Will keep this in mind when I visit those other novels you'd mentioned. :) Particularly looking forward to The New Atlantis. Bacon fascinates me as a historical figure and a writer. (And not just cause his name is my favorite breakfast food).
Ha! I know, I'm excited to read more of Bacon's philosophy, unfortunately he died before he finished The New Atlantis so we only get a couple chapters in and then it ends abruptly and we don't get to know what the rest of the world is like!
Thanks for this post and the great maps.
Fascinating. Thanks for so much detail. There's an exhibition at the British Library at the moment about fantasy lands. I daresay that will include maps such the ones you've shown. https://www.bl.uk/whats-on/
Oh that sounds fascinating!
I agree, Elle. I intend to see it early in the new year and write a review of it. It closes on 24th Feb. I don't work for the British Library's PR department by the way 😂
Ha! Definitely share it if you go!
Of course! I'd be happy to write it as a guest post for you if you wish
I need a minute, I'm scheduled out through the next few months haha.
Oh well, 'twas just a thought.
I’m actually in the UK at the moment so might see if I can swing by this. Thanks for the tip!
Hello again. It is well worth visiting. I reviewed the exhibition and the book here: https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/review-of-fantasy-realms-of-the-imagination
👍
Thank you Elle for hosting me on The Elysian!
See you all in Atlantis someday soon
I really enjoyed seeing something more candid and personal (in a way), outside of your usual format. Nicely done!
(it doesn't hurt that the subject matter is really fun to think about)
Thank you sir
Yay!