----------------------------Original message---------------------------- "Fire Insurance Maps, Their History and Applications," a new book from Lacewing Press, has just been released. "Fire Insurance Maps, Their History and Applications" is the most comprehensive book written about these little known cartographic treasures! What They are Saying... Walter W. Ristow, Retired Chief, Geography and Map Division, Library of Congress said "Congratulations on a job well done! In this volume Oswald details the origins, development and decline of fire insurance maps and suggests how these valuable cartographic resources can be used today!" Richard Boardman, Head Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia says "For a city like Philadelphia, the combination of Hexamer and Sanborn maps paint a very detailed portrait of urban growth over an extended period of time. This book is a very welcome addition to scarce information on the history of fire insurance mapping." Carol Roark, Texas/Dallas History and Archives Division, Dallas Public Library said "Little known to the general public, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps offer researchers a rich and detailed view of the physical layout and development of America's cities. Oswald's fascinating story discusses not only the Sanborn Company and its mapmaking process, but also examines the wide variety of uses for these footprints of American History." Readers will discover: -The wide range of current applications for the maps. -Detailed descriptions of the map-making process from the surveyors, drafters and pasters who created the maps. -The history of Hexamer, Rasher, Dakin and other fire insurance map publishers. -What life as a traveling fire insurance map surveyor was really like through historical and humorous anecdotes from the map surveyors themselves. -The challenges and adventures of creating and distributing these cartographic treasures About the Author: Diane Oswald is a life-long student and collector of cartography. She is the author of two books and over 60 magazine articles. She is a featured speaker at conferences, workshops and classrooms. ISBN: 0-9659698-0-0 Retail $9.95, Pages 102, Size 5.5" x 8.5", title on spine, two color cover, 15 b&w illustrations, Index, List of sources To order: Send $9.95 per book plus $2.00 shipping (Add 8.25% tax for Texas orders. Orders outside the U.S. e-mail for pricing) to Lacewing Press, 15889 Woodlake Drive, College Station, TX 77845. Quantity discounts are available on orders of 10 or more copies. E-mail or write for details. Most orders are sent out within two business days.