A. L. Humphreys (1865–1946)

NOTE: This is a retitled 1989 reprint of a 1926 book, 'Old Decorative Maps and Charts,' originally published by Halton & T. Smith, ltd ; Minton, Balch & Company of London and New York. The link here is to a quite long George Ritzlin page on books related to maps and cartography where the 1926 book appears fairly close to the top.

There are just over 50 interesting pages of text on maps, cartographers and map history & design. Additionally, there is old (early 1900s generally) map pricing information. Many of the maps are of small areas, as opposed to world or continental maps. Some examples; New York City (1776), Dunkirk & Mardyck, France (1713), Gibraltar (1713), River Thames Estuary (1693), London (1572), Paris (1550). About 62 of the maps are black & white and 32 are in color. No maps appear to be older than 1482. The book appears to be generally aimed at map collectors, but of interest more generally.

It's quite interesting with something of a different approach and the maps of smaller geographic areas particularly are often new to me. Reproductions seem to be of reasonably good quality.

Recently picked up this atlas, a pleasant surprise, at a Chicago area used book store ($7 in quite good and very clean condition). At this writing there seven copies of Antique Maps and Charts available through Abe Books, four are in Britain. Amazon in the UK has seven used books available starting at £3.84 plus shipping.… (more)

This both a wonderful peek into a Victorian England view of the book and the library, as well as quite a few hard-to-find helpful thoughts on acquiring and managing a personal library. Written in 1897, "The Private Library" contains many tips and observations that are now only of use to the historian of the book, but that in itself is a joy to a reader that loves both books and history.

This is a fairly quick read, which will lead to many margin notes and marks for ideas to return to at a later date while wrestling with your own private library.

Os.… (more)