Maps

Maps are not only handy tools for getting around, but also snapshots in time. Unfortunately, as time goes by, the map that was once a useful reference becomes an outdated and increasingly useless relic that usually ends up in the trash, replaced by a newer version. However, those old maps that do make it past an ignominious end in the garbage can can often become interesting conversation pieces for those researching the past or simply those suffering bouts of nostalgia. For those who measure their own growth against the growth of the places where they live or visit, maps are a sentimental journey back through time and a way of seeing just how far both have come. We present below maps collected over the years which, while perhaps only useful for a short time, possess an enduring historical value:

A pocket map of the London Underground (subway), acquired in August 2009: