Envisioning the World: The First Printed Maps, 1472-1700
Henry Wendt loves maps. His wife Holly does, too, though admittedly not quite as much. Wendt’s enthusiasm, however, is contagious as I accompany him on a guided tour of his collection on display at the Royal BC Museum. “They’re all my favorites,” he says. “They’re like my children.” That is until we reach a map from 1570 by Ortelius, the first we see to depict North America.
“Actually, this is my favorite.” Sorry children.
The map is beautifully hand-painted, featuring a massive southern continent, common as mapmakers conceptualized earthly equilibrium. Each new map on the tour reveals how global interpretations shifted from three continents held up by the three sons of Noah, to three continents as clover petals, to maps with accuracy nearly equivalent to those of today. The geo-politically undesirable, however, faded into cartographic swirls. None were used for exploration. Stored in atlases, these maps generally collected dust in the libraries of the wealthy and were thus preserved.
The Royal BC Museum adds B.C.’s perspective with the Sanson/Jaillot World Map, the last printed map before B.C.’s discovery. It’s one of 178,000 maps and atlases boasted by the museum. If you love maps, love art, love history you’re going to love this collection! M
This exhibition of antique maps is on display at the Royal BC Museum until Jan. 27
— By Colin Cayer
Peter N’ Chris
Through its Spotlight on Alumni program, UVic is hosting grads Chris Wilson and Peter Carlone back on the Phoenix Theatre stage with their hilarious spoof on classic whodunit detective stories and horror movies, Peter N’ Chris and the Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel (Running Oct. 11 to 20). Free pre-show lecture Friday with prof Linda Hardy and the matinee Oct. 20 will feature sign-language interpretation (2pm). For more information and tickets, visit phoenixtheatres.ca or call 250-721-8000. M
Doing it For the Chicks
Musical activist and singer-songwriter Kate Reid is making her way to The Well (821 Fort), Sun., Oct. 14 for a special afternoon show (4-6pm). With her slam-story-telling-meets-acoustic-country-folk vibe, Reid is sure to entertain, and leave you laughing with her toungue-in-cheek humour and no-holds-barred attitude. Tickets are $20 at the door. M
Cherry Bomb Toys’ 10th Ultimate Hobby and Toy Fair
Calling on kids young and old — the 10th Ultimate Hobby and Toy Fair featuring collectible toys, comics, models, action figures and more is taking place Sun., Oct. 14 at Pearkes Rec Centre (9am – 3pm, 3100 Tilicum).
Admission is $5 for adults and free for children. Visit ultimatetoyfair.com for more information. M
