IT and libraries: Maps from the British Library’s collection were digitised

The British Library’s ongoing project to catalogue and digitise the King’s Topographical Collection, some 40,000 maps, prints and drawings collected by George III, has highlighted some extraordinary treasures. The improved and up-dated catalogue records are now accessible to all, anywhere in the world, via the Library’s catalogue and offer a springboard for enhanced study.

One such example of further research using material digitised with help from donors is the recently published book by Richard H. Brown and Paul E. Cohen, Revolution. Mapping the Road to American Independence, 1755-1783, which features a number of maps from the K.Top.

This magnificent engraved map of New York was, prior to the current project, listed on one catalogue record with another map. The original 1829 catalogue description called this map simply “Another Copy of ditto. A Roll” where ditto (actually Maps K.Top.121.36.a., a second edition of the map) was described, not incorrectly, as "A Plan of the City of New York and its Environs, surveyed and laid down by Lieut. B. Ratzer, 1766, 7, with a View of ditto; published by Jefferys and Faden, 1776. Two sheets". However, the two maps are not the same and are deserving of separate listings.

Firstly, Maps K.Top.121.36.b. displays fine hand colour, while the other remains black and white, and this colour supports the theory that this particular example of map may have been made for presentation to George III; such careful and expensive embellishment may not have been offered to all.

The current project has remedied this fact; a correct date of publication is given for the map and the catalogue record now also cites important references to the map.