Map collector and cartographer David Rumsey has done a fine public service by placing thousands of his own maps online over the past decade. In the past few years, he and his colleagues have introduced new additions to the site via their friendly and interesting blog. This particular addition features some two dozen remarkable maps created by children during the 19th century. Many of these old maps were hand drawn and colored, making them truly one-of-a-kind items. The introduction to this collection notes that "These maps have a special poignancy today in the way that they reflect the optimism of youth from another time." First up is the wonderful diagram of Connecticut from Frances A. Henshaw's "Book of Penmanship Executed at the Middlebury Female Academy." Moving on, Emma Williard's map titled "Picture of nations or perspective sketch of the course of empire" depicts the course of human history as a wide stream. Each map is accompanied by a bit of background information, and visitors are also encouraged to leave their own comments. [KMG]
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