Rare antique map used a draught excluder is restored - Polidicks

[QUOTE]A rare antique map found stuffed up a chimney in Aberdeen has been saved by conservation experts. The document, which dates back to the late 17th Century, was destined for the skip when it was discovered during a house renovation. Used as a draught excluder, it was encrusted with dirt and had been attacked by vermin and insects. But it has now been meticulously cleaned and restored by the National Library of Scotland (NLS). The map of the world was produced by the Dutch engraver Gerald Valck and there are thought to be only two other copies in existence. In its heyday, the map, which measures 2.2m by 1.6m (7x5ft) would have been hung on a wall to be admired by visitors. Despite its impressive history, the map was rolled up in a plastic bag and looked like a "bundle of rags" when it arrived at the Edinburgh library. It was so delicate that every time it was moved, fragments of the map fell off "like confetti". National librarian Dr John Scally said: "This is one of the most challenging tasks our conservation team has faced and they have done a terrific job. "Although significant sections of the map have been lost, the remainder has been cleaned and stabilised for future study and enjoyment. "It would have been very easy for this map to end up at the bottom of a skip but thankfully it can now take its place among the magnificent maps held within our collection."[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-38128746[/url] [IMG]http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/107B5/production/_92690576_chimneymapunrolled.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/213D/production/_92690580_restoredsectionofmap.jpg[/IMG]

holy shit, I'm amazed this much of the map could even be restored given the plateau of damage the conservationists had to start with.

Jesus fucking christ. That nearly brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful work

what the fuck? that was just garbage tatter first. fucking well done holy shit

Conservationists always amaze me with how they can save historical artifacts.

[quote]A rare antique map found stuffed up a chimney in Aberdeen has been saved by conservation experts.[/quote] Round of applause to the conservationists that worked to put it back together, but I really would like to know how the map got in the chimney in the first place.

One (17th century) man's trash is another (21st century) man's treasure

[QUOTE=Steel & Iron;51440448]Round of applause to the conservationists that worked to put it back together, but I really would like to know how the map got in the chimney in the first place.[/QUOTE] Pretty easy: it was junk at the time. Perhaps a more updated map was available, so the old outdated one was put to new use. Just you wait, my beanie baby collection is going to be worth millions in a few hundred years.

[QUOTE=Blade Rx69;51440544]Pretty easy: it was junk at the time. Perhaps a more updated map was available, so the old outdated one was put to new use. Just you wait, my beanie baby collection is going to be worth millions in a few hundred years.[/QUOTE] Adjusted for inflation that'll amount to about $0.34

[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;51440416]holy shit, I'm amazed this much of the map could even be restored given the plateau of damage the conservationists had to start with.[/QUOTE] We should also praise this Gerald Valck guy who obviously made a high quality product that lasted for this long.

[QUOTE=AntonioR;51440717]We should also praise this Gerald Valck guy who obviously made a high quality product that lasted for this long.[/QUOTE] Ah yes, a proud moment to be Dutch when you have a painter such as Gerald Valck [IMG]http://www.history.org/history/teaching/enewsletter/volume5/images/Influenced%20by%20None/imprimeur_lg.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://67.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ladlbu0WpH1qe71zoo1_500.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/3a/10/ed/3a10ed2d7610b0023408d945fbbdbc23.jpg[/IMG]

Those look like 17th century photoshop competitions. Good shit.

[QUOTE=darth-veger;51440732]Ah yes, a proud moment to be Dutch when you have a painter such as Gerald Valck [IMG]http://www.history.org/history/teaching/enewsletter/volume5/images/Influenced%20by%20None/imprimeur_lg.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://67.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ladlbu0WpH1qe71zoo1_500.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/3a/10/ed/3a10ed2d7610b0023408d945fbbdbc23.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] Ye olde anime anthromorphifications?

[QUOTE=darth-veger;51440732]Ah yes, a proud moment to be Dutch when you have a painter such as Gerald Valck [IMG]http://www.history.org/history/teaching/enewsletter/volume5/images/Influenced%20by%20None/imprimeur_lg.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://67.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ladlbu0WpH1qe71zoo1_500.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/3a/10/ed/3a10ed2d7610b0023408d945fbbdbc23.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] The portable printer is pretty curious, but I don't know how to feel about that TF2 character.

[QUOTE=darth-veger;51440732]Ah yes, a proud moment to be Dutch when you have a painter such as Gerald Valck [IMG]http://www.history.org/history/teaching/enewsletter/volume5/images/Influenced%20by%20None/imprimeur_lg.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://67.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ladlbu0WpH1qe71zoo1_500.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/3a/10/ed/3a10ed2d7610b0023408d945fbbdbc23.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] [img]http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/edwikia/images/a/a6/Vlcsnap-2013-08-10-09h52m49s180.png/revision/latest?cb=20130810170550[/img]