Hale, E., The Discovery of the World: Maps of the Earth and the Cosmos from the David M. Stewart Collection. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. ISBN 0-9690951-8-X. 27x23cm., 87pp., illustrated. (5801 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, Cloth $65.00, Paper $25.00)

This work consists of introductory essays by Helen Wallis, and M.Y. Berger, followed by over 50 illustrations of maps, some in color, with brief descriptions.  Many maps will be familiar to collectors, such as the Blaeu world or the Coronelli Atlantic.  However, a number of especially rare and beautiful maps of America are superbly reproduced in color.  These include wall maps by Nolin, Clouet, and Chambon.  Some other unusual items also appear, such as a 16th-century version of the Fool's-Cap Map. There are a few minor errors in the descriptions, but the high quality illustrations of the American wall maps are by themselves sufficient justification for buying the book.  I recommend the paper version because of the much lower cost.

David C. Jolly, 1988