Artistic Map Resources from Ball State University Libraries

New Materials in the Ball State University Libraries’ GIS Research and Map Collection


The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library includes a substantial collection of reference materials available for research and learning. The reference collection in the GRMC includes literature of the history of cartography, map catalogs, gazetteers and geographical dictionaries, place-name resources, and historic and the most recent atlases.

Two new reference materials in the GRMC are Strange Maps: An Atlas of Cartographic Curiosities and The Map as Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography. These reference books include hundreds of unique maps and accompanying essays.

The Map as Art by Katharine Harmon was featured in USA Today and O: The Oprah Magazine, and includes reproductions of 360 colorful artistic maps created by well-known artists. The image above (click to enlarge) is a collage made of vintage maps by Joao Machado called Swimming from 2007. A large copy of this image is currently displayed in the front windows of the GRMC.

Strange Maps by Frank Jacobs includes 138 graphics, essays, and statistics. The book includes a section on cartographic misconceptions, political parodies, and fantasy maps. The collection includes such unique maps as Imperial Texas and a map showing the area covered by Neil Armstrong on the moon.

Reference materials from the GRMC do not circulate; however, special accommodations will be allowed for faculty and staff using materials in the classroom or for other special projects. The materials can also be scanned or copied for inclusion in papers and presentations.

For more information about these cartographic resources, please contact the GRMC at 765-285-1097.