--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
>Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 14:39:53 -0600
>From: Gerald Patout <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Atlas of Louisiana  publication By Historic New Orleans
>Collection
 
 
 
Dear Map Colleagues,
 
    Related to an upcoming Historic New Orleans Collection publication,
The Atlas of Louisiana, I am attempting to get a diversity of opinion
from other map librarians and professionals  in regard to possibly
utilizing some of the folded maps that are found in rare books in our
collections.  Other maps are being considered for this publication, but
do not pose these problems of being attached to a rare book, being
folded and brittle !
 
    Has anyone ever encountered a map publication project where some of
the maps to be used were folded in rare books and these maps were either
unattached from the original book or where some maps were actually
flattened and used for the publication without disbinding the book  and
unattaching (or removing) the map ?
 
   We have several maps we are considering for our publication, however,
the maps are found folded into rare and unique books . . . they are
obviously brittle and will require that they be flattened in order to
get the necessary photographic copy for publication.  Our committee in
planning this project has asked me to touch base with other map
librarians, professionals and preservationists as to their thoughts on
these types of maps, the notion on taking the map out of the book
entirely  or disbinding the book, photographing the map and then,
rebinding the map and book.  Our main concerns are the possibility of
losing the aesthetic value of the book and the maps after the maps have
been taken out or the preservation issue related to unfolding and
flattening these maps and then re-folding them and placing them back
into the books.
 
     We would certainly appreciate hearing from our map colleagues and
any insight and direction in formulating a strategy for this project
would be highly appreciated.
 
 
Gerald F. Patout, Jr., Head Librarian
Williams Research Center  /  Historic New Orleans Collection
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