The Aardvark Blog

Map exhibition opening, Bank Holiday weekend
29/04/2017

Today we opened our 6th annual map exhibition and I am again very pleased with the quality of the maps that we have been able to assemble. There are also some very interesting and instructive comparisons, between key map makers work in the neighbouring counties. I have never for example been able to assemble the Blaeu maps of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Radnorshire in the same exhibition, and seeing them together on a single panel has been a great thrill to me.

It is also instructive to see how colouring of Blaeu maps within his workshop varied considerably between different language editions. I have two copies of the Shropshire map with very different tones throughout. I have a pair of the large Blome maps for Shropshire and Herefordshire, a large group of Ogilby strip maps for the area and outside, a number of Saxton/Hole's for the Marches, and the large atlas Bowen maps for both Shropshire and Herefordshire  (perhaps my personal favourites).

The greatest thrill however has been the chance to see another example of the Robert Baugh map of Shropshire of 1808. When we had the previous example (a large cloth backed map originally from Weston Park), I was sure that I would not view another fine example of this rare map in my lifetime. For this exhibition we have an equally fine example, bound as an atlas, and the chance to examine the different areas in more detail has been a very great thrill. This has now sold and is no longer on show (as of 5th May 2017).

Thank you again to Martin Blant from Magna Gallery for all his help with putting together the map exhibition, and also a big thank you to the members of the Aardvark staff (particularly Jo, Vivien and Katy) for their work this week. With a visit to the big Red Cross day at Newport House also scheduled for this week it was always going to be a challenging seven days, and the Aardvarkeers rose to the challenge superbly.

Bookings are now flooding in for stalls for the May Brocante on the 29th of May. There are a very few spaces left inside if you have not made a booking, and once they have gone all subsequent bookings will need to be in the tents outside. If you are thinking about doing our Brocante again - or for the  first time - now is the time to make that booking.

Finally as usual we will be open all  three days this weekend, and look forward to seeing you either for the map opening today or at another time over the weekend.