Maps have accompanied us throughout history and geography, serving as tools of navigation, symbols of power and expressions of how we understand our place in the world. Though paper is certainly the most common support, historically maps have been created with a wide range of supports, media and level of aesthetics. As a result, caring for a map collection demands a conservator with a broad foundation in many types of media.
While the media and support may vary, maps often share recurring condition issues due to their size, function and regular handling. Designed to translate a large area into a readable representation, maps are often made as large as possible, then rolled or folded for storage and transport. The size and handling introduce characteristic damage: splitting along folds; tenting and breaks from repeated rolling; creases and distortion from expansion and contraction; and historic repairs using pressure-sensitive tapes or unstable adhesives. Wall maps, frequently backed with cloth and coated with resins, bring their own aging issues, including discoloration and structural instability.
Yet despite the structural issues that arise, maps remain captivating artifacts. They are visual records of how people have interpreted geography, boundaries and significance at a specific point in time. This lecture explores the unique conservation problems maps present and highlights a series of case studies that demonstrate how thoughtful conservation treatment can restore and preserve them for the future.