-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: Sanborn Insurance Maps
Date:   Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:16:33 GMT
From:   Philip Hoehn <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask]


These are not on demand copies, but are hand colored (with stencils) lithographs.

The same set of maps may have been issued by Sanborn as loose map sheets or as atlases with ring (or other) binders.

I would search for copy in OCLC.  If cataloging for the map set/atlas is found use that copy but add a note regarding specifics of your set, e.g., OCLC is done as a map set, but your copy is bound as an atlas.

If copy is not found, I would catalog them as a map set (if loose sheets) or as an atlas (if bound).  Although there are probably variations, in my experience the Sanborn Company provided the bindings, if any.

If it is important for your library, I would by all means make a local added entry for the company which leased or purchased the maps from Sanborn.

Regarding the publication date, watch out for a "corrected to" date (you mention paste-ons) typically appearing in a box on the first or second sheets.


Philip Hoehn, Map Librarian
San Francisco -- [log in to unmask]

-- Maps-L Moderator <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Sanborn Insurance Maps
Date:   Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:03:42 -0600 (MDT)
From:   Laurence Creider <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask]


Our Library has a number of Sanborn insurance maps for Las Cruces, N.M.
and one for Alamogordo, N.M.  Each set of maps is colored and on sheets 65
x 55 cm. which are folded (sometimes backed by a support) and then placed
in a dark brown folder.  There is a statement to the effect that these are
copies made for such and such an real estate company.  Each set has a
title on the first map, a very brief title on subsequent maps which are on
numbered sheets, and an index, which is frequently pasted on the first
map.

There are a couple of questions I have about cataloging these items which
I haven't been able to resolve by looking at how the multitudes of
libraries have handled their copies of Sanborn maps.

1) Are these copies published items?  They seem to be on-demand copies,
but I hesitate to consider them as manuscripts.  The company obviously
made many of these copies, can this be considered publishing?

2) Were the maps issued in these folders or were they added by the company
holding them.

3) These maps seem to be variously treated as atlases (1 atlas (9 maps),
several maps or 1 map on x sheets.  From the fact that the title appears
on one sheet only, I would tend to opt for the last choice.

4) Has anyone made an added entry for the company for whom the set was
made?  As a special collections cataloger, I am tempted to do so for these
local firms.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, including things I may have left
out.

Larry Creider

Laurence S. Creider
Head, General Cataloging Unit &
Special Collections Librarian
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM  88003
Work: 505-646-4707, 505-646-7227
Fax: 505-646-7477
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