Old maps: stories in cartography

Maps from centuries past served a dual purpose. They had a practical use as guides for explorers and navigators. But maps also highlighted places unknown to populations curious about what lay beyond their shores. Daniel Crouch specialises in antique maps, atlases and sea charts. He founded his company Daniel Crouch Rare Books in 2011 and has a collection of some of the world’s oldest and rarest maps. Crouch says: “People have a fascination in exploration and discovery. Maps are not only beautiful works of art but scientifically fascinating and historically interesting.”