--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Fri, 05 Jan 2001 13:02:37 -0500 From: minton <[log in to unmask]> Subject: SURVEYOR'S MAPS (PLATS). . . Sender: minton <[log in to unmask]> MAPS-L FOLK: 27 days til Groundhog Day! Have any of you folk been approached by local/state professional land surveyors with a "proposition" of saving historically-important maps that are in their possesion or the family of a surveyor who has died? I am sure that most of you map librarians are aware (because of the nature of their work) surveyors have a special affection for historical maps and do not wish for them to be tossed upon their death by unknowing realtives. We're talking about THOUSANDS of maps many of which are no more than subdivision plats. Of course many of these are maintained in the Register of Deeds office at our local courthouses (until the big fire comes) but many of these surveyors have acquired some really important maps dating from the 1700s. Has anyone out there had any experience in working with these type of masp and what did you do with them. Treat them like archival materials in groups? Photocopy the good ones and add to your collections, or has anyone borrowed them for a digitizing project? I suppose I should write a grant for a large $$$$ scanner, eh? Commnets, reflections? Jim Minton University of Tennessee --- End Forwarded Message ---