New Map Association

First Symposium and Annual General Meeting of the International Society for the History of the Map

Report by Sarah Tyacke

The first symposium and AGM of ISHM was held on Saturday 30th June, 2012 in Budapest at the Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics, Eötvös Loránd University organised by the Chairman, Professor Zsolt Török. It was an open meeting and was well attended by ISHM members and also by some ICA [International Cartographic Association] members. The papers in the session, chaired by Catherine Delano-Smith, editor of Imago Mundi, concentrated on new developments in researching and interpreting the history of the map.

The first AGM of the International Society for the History of the Map was held in the afternoon and 20 members were present. The Chairman Zsolt Török, Secretary Sarah Tyacke and Treasurer Sonali Siriwardena were re-elected. Six new trustees were also elected: Catherine Delano-Smith, Joost Depuydt, Matthew Edney, Thomas Horst, Leif Isaksen and Gilles Palsky. The members discussed the development of the Society, its website and ISHM’s participation in the forthcoming International Conference on the History of Cartography in Helsinki, July 2013.

Of particular importance to the members was the proposed agreement with Taylor & Francis, the publishers of Imago Mundi, which would enable ISHM members to subscribe to the journal at a reduced rate for a three-year period (from 2013 onwards), and give student members a much reduced rate. The student rate will be subsidized by the generosity of the directors of Imago Mundi Ltd. The meeting thanked the members in Budapest for all their hard work for the Society and congratulated them on the first symposium.                                                                                              See also www.ishm.elte.hu

Peter Barber awarded OBE

It is not often that we are able to report that a member of IMCoS has been awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) so we know you will be happy to join us in congratulating Peter Barber who has just received that honour. At the time of going to press we were still awaiting the date for the investiture when he will go to Buckingham Palace for the presentation. Peter, as many of you know, is Head of Cartographic and Topographical Materials at the British Library, and has gained a reputation for the wonderful exhibitions of maps he has curated at the BL, particularly ‘Magnificent Maps, Power, Propaganda and Art’ in 2010. As far as we know the last member of IMCoS to receive the same honour was Peter’s predecessor but one at the BL, Dr Helen Wallis.

Peter was his usual modest self when the award was announced and said “I’m delighted and humbled to have received this honour. The Library’s collection of maps is one of the greatest in the world, and it has been a tremendous privilege to work with many colleagues on developing awareness of it, and of the important role of maps not only as geographical aids, but also as mirrors of the societies in which they were created.”

From Valerie Newby's column in IMCoS Journal 130, Autumn 2012.

Peter Barber receiving the Helen Wallis from Roger Baskes in 2007

Obituaries

Warwick Leadlay

Some members may have met Warwick Leadlay on their visits to IMCoS. It is with sad regret that we announce his death on 17th February this year. A larger than life character he was a frequent IMCoS attendee.

Photographer

Photographer required - must bring enthusiasm!

As most IMCoS members know, David Webb has been our untiring photographer since the early beginnings of our society. Unfortunately for IMCoS David has decided the time has come to retire from these duties. If you would like to take over the services of photographer, or are willing to be responsible for photography at any future event, the committee would love to hear from you.