a) If you're looking for maps that advance cartographic science or are
"fine" in design terms, then you'll leave out the appalling Gall-Peters
projection! There are plenty of better equal area projections (I like
Mollweide, but others come to mind). All the Gall-Peters projection did
was appeal to some politically correct but cartographically illiterate
groups.
b) Blowing my own trumpet, I am afraid, but the Polar stereographic
projection of Antarctica is perhaps something you should include, giving
a unique visualization of Antarctica, presenting it as a continent
rather than as a border to a map. Plenty of examples; it is now the
standard projection of Antarctica. Maps you could consider would be the
surface map from "Antarctica: Glaciological and Gephysical Folio", 1983,
Ed. D J drewry, Scott Polar Research Institute; this folio was the first
modern representation of Antarctica that is substantially correct in all
major geographic features.
Paul
>>> [log in to unmask] 28 January 2008 11:08:23 >>>
I've been asked to compile a list of 50 or so maps that have become
'graphic classics' in one way and another, for a book on graphic
classics.
The criteria for inclusion are very broad. Basically they include maps
which established important new principles that then became standard, or
which significantly advanced the science of cartography. They also
include maps which are important or fine in design terms. There's no
starting or cut-off date, but anything pre-mechanical reproduction would
have to have a strong argument attached to be included.
The list to date includes Beck's Underground map, John Snow's
cholera map of 1854, the first weather map, Ortelius's world atlas of
c. 1570, a population density map, and the Gall-Peters' projection,
as examples.
I would be very interested to hear what maps members of the
cartographic community would include on such a list. As well as maps
from centuries ago, I'm also looking for maps which have been
published in the last 30 years or so which have become graphic classics,
or look like they may do so.
Giles Darkes
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