The usual apologies for cross-posting, for `news' which may already
have reached some of you by another route, and for something aimed at
both libraries and private collectors, savants, etc.
From the latest OS publication list, it is now in the public domain
that some 61 1:50,000 Landranger maps are to be republished on 11
March, to a new specification. I have just had a circular from
Latitude, of Potters Bar, indicating that all 204 sheets are to be
republished between 11 March and August of this year, and indicating
that they can supply a set, in batches as published, in the standard
get-up, for 977.57 pds [at 5.99 pnds per sheet, the normal price would
be 1221.96 pnds, i.e. a discount of about 20 %]. [With `cover
protection' 1303.96, laminated & folded 1793.57.] The `selling points'
of the relaunched map are: all 204 updated; `Greater clarity of
mapping'; `improved symbols and specification'; redesigned cover.
At first sight the 977.57 offer looks a good one, if you have the money
to hand, but I suspect that I am not alone in prefering to know exactly
what I'm getting before spending a comparatively large sum of money,
well in excess of what I'd normally spend in a year on republished
1:50,000, newly published 1:25,000 Explorers, and second-hand maps
combined. Those Devon and Cornwall 1:100,000s cast a long shadow, and
the `purple plaugue' of the access land on the current 1:50,000 is
always before us, alas. But, then again, perhaps OS have listened to
our complaints! I therefore phoned up Latitude (01707-663090), to
ask if they could furnish further details, and they
said, in effect, that they knew no more than I, and that they had a job
to get as much as they did out of OS! A lot of their customers are
libraries with standing orders and budgets, who might be seriously
inconvenienced by this wholesale republication. I know the feeling...
So, what might I get for my 977.57 pounds? Any volunteer moles?
Richard Oliver
-------------------
Richard Oliver, B.A., D.Phil., F.B.Cart.S.,
School of Geography & Archaeology
University of Exeter
Exeter, EX4 4RJ
[log in to unmask]
|