-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Upside down maps] Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 13:09:18 -0600 From: Catherine Hodge <[log in to unmask]> ------------------ Ah ha! Perhaps we should be talking in terms of the earth's recto and verso? ;c) -- Catherine Hodge-Bodart Associate Academic Librarian American Geographical Society Library UW Milwaukee Libraries P.O. Box 604 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0604 414/229-6282 [log in to unmask] Johnnie D. Sutherland wrote: > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: RE: Upside down maps > Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 15:49:26 -0700 > From: Frank Stieber <[log in to unmask]> > > > ------------------ > What's all this upside-down talk? Is this the same FLAT earth that we > are all talking about? > > Frank L. Stieber > ASU-Map Collection > Tempe, AZ > > -----Original Message----- > From: Maps and Air Photo Systems Forum > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Johnnie D. Sutherland > Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 1:22 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Upside down maps > > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: Upside down maps]]] > Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 13:38:23 -0600 > From: Angie Cope <[log in to unmask]> > Organization: American Geographical Society Library > > > > > > I completely agree that there is no "right side up" to the Earth. The > whole idea behind putting the words "upside-down" or "turn around" in > the title of a map is to invite the viewer to consider the map's > alternate perspective. That is what I'd like to get at by standardizing > language via a subject heading or note. It seems the consensus is to > include the note "Map oriented with north to the bottom." > > But, you see don't you, that by relying on this version we're continuing > to feed into the north-centric, this-way-up mind set. Why don't we say > "this is a south-oriented map" or "east-oriented map" or whatever. But, > we have to be careful how many different terms we use because if one > cataloger says, "Map oriented with south to the top" and another > cataloger says, "Map oriented with north to the bottom," how the heck > will our reference librarians find the item in the catalog. (I realize > that many map catalogers are also the map reference librarians, but > still). > > Honestly, I'm not trying to start a riot, but I believe that because > some of these maps are produced to be unique in this way, we should give > them credit for such. I understand and appreciate the concept behind > why other maps are oriented according to the maps purpose (toward a > peak, or direction of travel), but I think the orientation of an > upside-down map is a primary focus of the item. No? > > I happen to like subject headings because once they're set, they're set > (mostly) - but I'm still open to using some kind of note. I'm just > wondering if there is a good set of words to describe this "invitation > to consider an unique and alternative perspective of the Earth." > > Angie > > P.S. Thanks all for your input. > > Johnnie D. Sutherland wrote: > >> -------- Original Message -------- >> Subject: Re: Upside down maps]] >> Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 18:17:28 EST >> From: [log in to unmask] >> >> >> ------------------ >> I thought Paige Andrew's suggestion noting 'orientation' was a logical >> descriptor for maps that are not North-up. Many historical maps are >> 'direction of >> travel' oriented, with or without a compass rose to clarify. >> >> I'd like to see more cartographers design modern maps that allow the >> reader >> to understand a region in a different light by drawing maps in >> non-north-up >> direction. I've done a few book maps that way of Hudson Bay and the >> Chesapeake >> Bay. Invariably they come under attack by editors because they are >> different, >> but if it illustrates a concept well, I feel it is justified. >> >> I have done a few modern maps in a non-north-up design, usually to >> orient >> with a geographical feature like a peak, valley or river. >> >> I agree the 'upside-down' term implies a mistake, or oddity, when >> really we >> are a bit trapped by a convention that should be challenged when >> possible. >> >> Mike Hermann >> www.purplelizard.com > > > > -- > ************************************************** > > Angie Cope, Cartographic Materials Catalog Librarian > American Geographical Society Library > UW Milwaukee Libraries > 2311 E. Hartford > Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211 > > http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/AGSL/index.html > [log in to unmask] > (414) 229-6282 > (800) 558-8993 (toll free) > (414) 229-3624 (fax) > > ************************************************** -- Catherine Hodge-Bodart Associate Academic Librarian American Geographical Society Library UW Milwaukee Libraries P.O. Box 604 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0604 414/229-6282 [log in to unmask]