{"product_id":"the-compleat-plattmaker-essays-on-chart-map-and-globe-making","title":"The Compleat Plattmaker: Essays on Chart, Map, and Globe Making","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Compleat Plattmaker, the reviewer finds a focused, scholarly collection ideal for readers who want a deep look at English cartography in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Drawing on the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library at UCLA, the book offers detailed essays that illuminate the technical and cultural shifts in mapmaking, chartmaking, and globe production. The single biggest reason to buy is the book's archival grounding and close readings of figures like Edmond Halley and the Thames School, which make it valuable to historians, cartographers, and serious map enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchival research:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays draw on primary holdings from the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, providing firsthand evidence and rare examples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed coverage of seventeenth and eighteenth century England helps readers trace the evolution of cartographic practice over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProfiles of key figures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Close study of contributors such as Edmond Halley highlights pioneering approaches to thematic mapping and scientific methods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTechnical interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discussions of surveying and engraving techniques explain how practical advances shaped the look and accuracy of maps and charts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBridge between manuscript and print:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examination of the Thames School and chartmakers clarifies how production methods shifted during a period of commercial and intellectual change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Compleat Plattmaker is best for historians of science, professional and amateur cartographers, and collectors who appreciate deep archival work and specialized scholarship on English mapmaking. Librarians, graduate students, and museum curators will find the essays useful for research and exhibition context.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is less suitable for casual readers seeking a general survey of world maps or flashy reproductions; the book emphasizes scholarly essays and close analysis rather than lavish, popular illustrations or a broad global narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWell-researched essays grounded in primary materials from a major research library.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIlluminates technical developments in surveying, engraving, and chart production with clear examples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInsightful profiles of individuals such as Edmond Halley and the Thames School that contextualize broader changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eScholarly tone and focus may feel dense to readers seeking a general or heavily illustrated coffee-table book.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Compleat Plattmaker: Essays on Chart, Map, and Globe Making in England in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Editor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorman J. W. Thrower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistory of cartography; maps, charts, and globes in England\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResearch base\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWilliam Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeriod covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeventeenth and eighteenth centuries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTopics included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSurveying, engraving, Thames School, Edmond Halley, manuscript to print transition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Compleat Plattmaker is a worthwhile purchase for anyone needing a focused, archival-backed study of English cartography during a formative era. Its essays offer practical and biographical insight that make it good value for researchers, curators, and dedicated map collectors, though casual readers may prefer a more visual or general introduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book include original sources from archives?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The essays draw on primary holdings and materials from the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library at UCLA.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for general readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is primarily scholarly in tone; interested general readers can benefit, but should expect dense, research-focused essays rather than a pictorial overview.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre figures like Edmond Halley covered in depth?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The volume includes focused examination of key figures such as Edmond Halley and their contributions to thematic mapping and scientific methods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Norman J. W. Thrower","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48759108731099,"sku":"0520364082","price":101.41,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51zekCnOP7L._SL1500_26b5c637-62c7-4d02-b4af-2a5d592adddd.jpg?v=1778380949","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-compleat-plattmaker-essays-on-chart-map-and-globe-making","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}