Maps as Fun: Imaginary Realms, Tourist Traps, and Literary Itineraries

Join Arthur Dunkelman and Cristina Favretto for an online showcase featuring five centuries of cartographic marvels, from whimsical endpapers and enchanting books to vintage posters, brochures, and fantastical faux travel guides. Step into a world where imagination shapes the map, and discover the art of charting dreams. Your adventure begins here!

“Maps as Fun” will highlight our rich collections in a fascinating corner of cartography: maps of places that never existed, as well as maps created to accompany children’s stories, novels, and promotional literature designed to inspire travel. The presentation will feature a wide variety of examples, such as maps on book endpapers, in travel brochures, on postcards, and on posters, each one revealing how imagination and geography come together.