Cartophilia, the love of maps, is a passion that can transport collectors through time and space, triggering memories and dreams with each carefully preserved piece. From personalized maps tracing a couple’s life journey to antique maps dating back centuries, the allure of cartography is undeniable.
For New Yorkers with a penchant for history, a 1770s map of the city can offer a glimpse into the past, showcasing familiar landmarks with a touch of Colonial-era charm. The nostalgia and curiosity that these maps evoke can be addicting, leading collectors like J. C. McElveen and Dennis M. Gurtz to amass impressive collections spanning centuries.
But beware, as Gurtz warns, the “old map pox” can strike unexpectedly, turning a casual interest into a full-blown obsession. As wall space fills up and storage becomes necessary, the line between hobby and compulsion blurs.
For Tania Rossetto, a map on her children’s bedroom wall serves as a meeting place for memories and dreams, while Svenskt Tenn’s new cabinet, adorned with a map of Stockholm from the 1870s, pays homage to the wanderlust of its founders. The world truly is a book, as Ms. Ericson paraphrases Saint Augustine, and for cartophiles, each map is a page waiting to be explored.
