From:    "paul.m" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Map exhibition

Barbara C. Batson mentioned the map exhibition she/her
institution is
planning for next year. Could you give us further details
(e.g. the
rationale for the exhibition, criteria for selectio of
objects....)?
------------------------------------------------------
The exhibition, Mapping Virginia, will open Friday, 23
April 1999, and close 14 December 1999 (the bicentennial of
George Washington's death, BTW).  The exhibition is part of
a large project at the Library of Virginia that includes
the exhibition, a scholarly symposium (April 23-24), and an
atlas of Virginia maps.  The atlas, which surveys 400 years
of Virginia maps, will be out fall 1999, will measure 11
inches by 15 inches, and will be heavily illustrated in
full color.  There are five essays written by leading
scholars in cartographic history.  As far as the book
design is concerned, there will be no gutter jumps of
images, and large maps (like the Fry-Jefferson and the 1827
Boye [the monster map]) will be illustrated in sections for
greater clarity of detail.

The exhibition will include approximately 125 maps and
map-related materials in the Library's first floor exhibit
spaces (lobby and gallery).  There are five sections:
 Mapmakers and Surveyors (including a case dedicated to
GW), Map Technology, Vision of Empire, Building the
Commonwealth, and Cities and Towns.  The exhibition will
treat the maps as socio- and ideofacts and thus is not
chronological.  There will not be a catalog, but I am
working with our graphics designer to create a nice and
substantial brochure.

The Library of Virginia includes in its vast collections
some 66,000 maps.  Through our website (www.vsla.edu) you
can access the Board of Public Works maps through
LizardTech's Mr. SID software.  It's very cool.

So, stay tuned, and if you are in the area late next
spring, summer or fall, drop by.

And, if you are in Richmond between now and the middle of
March, the current exhibition is Father and Son:  The Works
of John Gadsby Chapman and Conrad Wise Chapman,
approximately 100 paintings and sketches by these two
Virginia artists, as well as some manuscript material being
displayed for the first time.

Oh, and thanks for the suggestions about the security alarm
curtain.


Barbara C. Batson
Exhibitions Coordinator
The Library of Virginia