--- 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 [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> --- End Forwarded Message ---