The Ultimate Christmas List for Map Lovers
It is about this time of year that I get asked if I want anything in particular for Christmas. So for others in the same position, or if you are searching for a gift for a map obsessed loved one, here is my ultimate Christmas wish list. Most of these items are things I have asked for in the past, or purchased myself, so I know they are must haves for map lovers!
Accessories
Starting with the last job first, this Map wrapping paper and Subway map packing tape offer the perfect way of presenting your gifts. It is worth noting, the paper is really nice quality and comes in loads of different variations.
I was given these Map Fridge Magnets last year and they make for a nice stocking filler.
Prints
This Population Lines print is one I have produced showing world population density. Each A2 print is produced with vegetable-based inks on 170 gsm 100% recycled Cyclus Offset paper. This is slightly off-white and does a great job of producing crisp lines and giving the print a quality feel. I have signed and numbered each print for this first print run. If you would like to own a copy please click below.
This Typographic Tube map is produced for a range of cities, converting their transportation maps into beautiful text.
Keeping with the typographic theme, Axis Maps have created these detailed city maps using nothing but text. Like the prints above, they look great either framed or pinned to a wall.
A love of maps should be instilled from an early age and this Animal Map is a great way to do it. It comes in a range of formats.
Books
Gestalten produce really high quality books and Around the World: The Atlas for Today is no exception. It comes in full colour and contains a wealth of interesting maps and graphics about our contemporary world.
Cartographies of Time is probably the most technical book on this list but it is incredibly well produced and is packed full of the amazing ways that time has been portrayed in graphics. With the wealth of information graphics currently being produced it serves as a nice reminder of the ways advanced graphics could be produced with pen and paper.
On the Map offers a nice run-through of the history of cartography and mapping. Its a good gift for someone who isn’t a mapping fanatic but has a general interest in such things.
Information Graphics is a giant book from Taschen and contains hundreds of great data visualisations- many of them maps. It’s size means that you can appreciate the detail of the graphics included, and the book is full of inspiration for cartographers/ designers.
Paula Scher: Maps collates the many hand-drawn maps created by Paula Scher. The maps cover many major cities and offer fresh perspectives on them and the book looks great on a coffee table.
Why not go seriously old-school with a Times Atlas. Full of classic cartography and great images, these aren’t yet ready to be forgotten at the hands of Google Earth!
Have I missed anything? Add your suggestions to the comments.