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Rare Map Donation
The Banks Collection
In December of 2000, McMaster University Library was the fortunate beneficiary
of a marvelous private collection of rare maps, donated by Mr. Sydney
Banks of Toronto. Mr. Banks' generous gift will ensure that this unique
collection remains accessible to researchers in a scholarly setting, and
is preserved in perpetuity for future generations. McMaster University
is grateful for the opportunity to act as steward of this extraordinary
collection.
These webpages are intended to acquaint researchers and scholars with
The Banks Rare Map Collection. The collection is composed of 169 maps,
with particular research strengths in Cumbria (Cumberland County, England
- 66 maps) and in South America, especially Brazil (63 maps). For both
of these areas, the collection of maps of the same geographical area over
several centuries provides a unique opportunity to see change over time
and especially in the case of South America, to see the development of
knowledge about this land as it was first explored, all within a single
repository. There are also some interesting maps of Canada and of the
world. The oldest map in the collection is a map of the British Isles
from an edition of Ptolemy's Cosmographia, produced in 1486.
The original maps may be viewed, by appointment, in the Research Collections
Division, Mills Memorial Library, McMaster University.
Map Collection Home Page
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