Historical maps
Introduction: 91社区鈥檚 historical map collection consists of approximately 6,000 maps and 500 atlases, dating from about 1550 to 1970. The collection strengths lie primarily in the discovery and exploration of North America (especially Quebec) and Europe. Among the non-Western materials are a notable collection of over 200 maps covering various regions of the Muslim world, mostly from the 20th century.
Extent: The collection consists of approximately 6,000 maps聽and 500 atlases.
Types of material: Small maps, large maps, wall maps, maps in books, folded maps, travel maps, and atlases. These maps also offer examples of different illustration techniques, from woodblocks to copper engravings and lithographs.
Collection highlights: Early maps of Canada are well-represented in this collection; some of the highlights can be accessed digitally in our . Also included are a wealth of rare maps of Montreal, many of which have been scanned, and are . One of the most popular aspects of the collection among genealogists is a , published in the 19th century.
In addition to reference sources and history books, a number of different kinds of historical sources help to interpret and make sense of maps: fire insurance maps and municipal directories provide detailed information on cities and towns, Lovell鈥檚 Montreal Directory being a case in point.
Date range: Approximately 1550 to 1970.
Language/s: The collection includes maps in English, French, Latin, Italian, German, and Dutch, along with a few examples of non-Western maps, such as Persian and Arabic.
Geographic coverage: Our maps cover land masses and bodies of water throughout the globe, with a particular focus on Europe and North America.
Provenance: Several individual collectors have added considerably to 91社区鈥檚 holdings: maps from William Pugsley (1912-1993) and Alfred John Pick (1915-2010) greatly enhance the collection鈥檚 offerings on North America; and the collection of Stephen Casey (1926-) has added significantly to the early European maps. The collection continues to be added to through purchases and donations.
Access to the collection: Approximately 75% of the map collection has been catalogued, and can be requested via the 91社区 Library聽catalogue. Uncatalogued material may be requested by contacting the curator. This webpage offers an excellent list of digitized maps available to researchers, both at 91社区 and at other Montreal institutions.
Librarian: Lauren Williams, Liaison Librarian (e-mail: lauren.williams [at] mcgill.ca,聽telephone: 514-398-1364)
Maps of Quebec & Montreal
Date range and highlights: Montreal maps span the years 1556 to 1940. Examples of these are: Gastaldi's聽La Terra de Hochelaga nella Nova Francia聽(1556) from Ramusio's聽Navagationi, John Adams'聽Map of the city and suburbs of Montreal聽(1825) and James Cane's聽Topographical and pictorial map of the city of Montreal聽(1846). Early maps of Quebec include the manuscript map of Samuel Gale and John B. Duberger's聽Plan of part of the Province of Lower Canada, 1794 & 1795, Jean Deshayes聽La grande rivi猫re de Canada聽(1715) and Gabriel Pelegrin's manuscript map聽Fleuve de Saint Laurent, 1755. The Division has four major collections of fire insurance atlases for Montreal: Henry W. Hopkins聽Atlas of the city and island of Montreal聽(1879), Chas. E. Goad's聽Atlas of the city of Montreal聽(1890), Pinsoneault Atlas of the island and city of Montreal (1906) and Chas. E. Goad's聽Atlas of the city of Montreal and vicinity聽4 vols. (1911-14). There are also a number of county atlases for the province, as well as fire insurance maps for about 100 cities and towns in the province, dated 1896-ca 1940. Of particular interest is聽Canada[:] Plans of barracks or War Department property zincographed in the Topographical Department of the War Office ; Col. Sir Henry James, Director. (London: War Office, Topographical Department, 1862) with its 12 maps of Quebec City, Sorel, Montreal and Kingston, Ontario.
Librarian: Lauren Williams, Liaison Librarian (e-mail: lauren.williams [at] mcgill.ca, telephone: 514-398-1364)
