I'm a Fan of Maps

Maps: Finding Our Place in the World, at the Field Museum, Chicago
November 2, 2007 — January 27, 2008
Part of The Festival of Maps Chicago

China, Korea and Japan
Da Qing yitong er san sheng yudi quantu (Complete Map of the 23 Provinces of the Great Qing Dynasty)
Unidentified mapmaker, Chinese
1890
Printed map on fan

This fan is a clever solution to the problem of map portability. Such folding fans were an important part of the ceremonial dress of East Asian aristocrats and courtiers. The earliest examples with maps date from 16th century Japan.

Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division

Never get lost in the orient again!

Tuck's Russo-Japanese War Map

One of my favorite map related blogs, Strange Maps, posted today about three postcards related to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. It inspired me to find the vintage Russo-Japanese War postcard from my own collection:



I recall picking this up at a paper collector's show in Columbus. On the back:

Raphael Tuck & Sons' Post Card Series No. 1355 "Russo-Japanese War"
ART PUBLISHERS TO THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING & QUEEN

No date on the card, but it appears to have been published during or soon after the war...