----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I did not read the original query, because I was on vacation and signed off
Maps-L for about two weeks.
 
As editor of the revised version of Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici a
practical definition of an atlas was necessary ('practical' because I need
the definition to decide if a book is included or not).
 
In the introduction of the new edition I add a chapter 'What is an atlas'
and will give this definition:
 
"An atlas is defined as a book with maps, which meets the following
characteristics (free after
Meurer and Akerman):
(1) a collection of printed maps in book form or bound similar to a book; in
case text is
included, the publisher_s intention to give the dominance of graphic
elements (particularly
maps, plans or town views) over textual elements, must be clear, either from
the title or from
the concept of the work;
(2) the rough uniformity of map format, design, and presentation throughout
the work; and
(3) the standardization (generally), from copy to copy in each edition, of
composition and
arrangement of atlas component."
 
Although mainly intended for old atlases (up to the 19th century) the
definition (esp. point 1) may be of use for modern atlas too.
Simply said the criterion is: if the text is an explanation to the maps,
then it is an atlas; if the maps are illustrations to the text, it is not an
atlas. The amount of text is not of importance.
 
The literature used is:
 
Akerman (1991): On the shoulders of a Titan: viewing the world of the past
in atlas structure /
James  Richard Akerman. -Thesis, submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the
degree of doctor in philosophy, Pennsylvania State University 1991.
 
Akerman (1995): From books with maps to books as maps: the editor in the
creation of the
atlas idea / James R. Akerman. - In: Editing early and historical atlases /
edited by Joan
Winearls. - Toronto [etc.]: University of Toronto Press, 1995. p. 3-48.
 
Van der Krogt (1994): Van Atlas tot atlas. - In: Kartografisch Tijdschrift
20(1994)3, pp. 11-18. (summarized version without annotations: From Atlas to
atlas. - In Mercator's World 1(1996)1, pp. 61-63 & 93.
 
Meurer (1988): Atlantes Colonienses : die Kölner Schule der
Atlaskartographie 1570-1610 /
Peter H. Meurer. _ Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale : Verlag Dietrich Pfaehler, 1988.
 
Meurer (1991): Fontes Cartographici Orteliani: das _Theatrum Orbis Terrarum_
von Abraham
Ortelius und seine Kartenquellen / Peter H. Meurer. - Weinheim : VCH Acta
humaniora, 1991.
 
Pastoureau (1984): Les atlas français XVIe-XVIIe siècles : répertoire
bibliographique et étude
/ Mireille Pastoureau [et al.]. _ Paris : Bibliothèque Nationale, 1984.
 
Varanka (1994): Editorial and design principles in the rise of English world
atlases 1606-1729 /
Dalia Varanka. - A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the
degree of Doctor in Philosophy in Geography at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, June
1994.
 
Wallis & Robinson (1987): Cartographical innovations: an international
handbook of mapping
terms to 1900 / edited by Helen M. Wallis and Arthur H. Robinson. - Tring :
Map Collector
Publications (1982) Ltd., 1987.
 
Woodward (1982): The technique of atlas making / David Woodward. - In: The
Map Collector
18(March 1982), p. 2-11.
 
 
At 17:38 21-08-96 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Cheryl,
>
>The cartographic dictionary of the Dutch Cartographic Society
>(1991) defines atlas as:
>
>"A systematic, coherent collection of maps, usually in the form
>of a book, which represent a certain area or which treats one or
>more geographic phenomenons" (it can alos be a loose-leaved
>book).
>In the past certain atlases were also referred to as 'kaartboek'
>(which doesn't have a translation, but means 'mapbook')
>
>The dictonary defines further 25 kinds of atlases. However it
>doesn't say anything about the relation maps vs text.
>
>In the introduction to the 'Atlantes Neerlandici' Volume I, C.
>Koeman writes about one page (XI) about the problem of how to
>define a map (see also 'La cartografia dels Paisos Baixos', p.
>184) and the relation maps vs text becomes not more transparent.
>Keeping in mind that Mercator wanted to create a geographical
>encyclopedia which later resolved into an altas because of his
>untimely death, we do not know what his real intention was.
>
>However we'll define it, the definition will be arbitrary as to
>the amount of maps a book must carry to be counted an atlas.
>
>When using the word atlas in our sense it is well to define it as
>a geographical atlas, as in general the word is used for books
>which map certain visualized topics (:->), as we have atlases of
>skeletons, plants, etc.
>
>And then to know that last year there was a large unresolved
>discussion on MAPHIST about the topic "What is a map?"
>
>Jan Smits
>Map Curator Koninklijke Bibliotheek, National Library of The
>Netherlands
>[log in to unmask]
>tel: + 31 70 3140241
>fax: + 31 70 3140450
>
>
 
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Dr Peter van der Krogt
Map historian, Explokart Research Program
FRW-Cartography, University of Utrecht
P.O. Box 80.115
3508 TC  UTRECHT, The Netherlands
e-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
fax: +31 30 254 0604 or +31 15 212 6063
Cartography homepage: http://kartoserver.frw.ruu.nl/
 
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