Royal Geographic Society Commemorative Edition of the “Times Atlas of the World”

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This beautiful volume is a 1983 limited-run presentation edition of The Times Atlas of the World, produced in collaboration with … Read more This beautiful volume is a 1983 limited-run presentation edition of The Times Atlas of the World, produced in collaboration with The Royal Geographical Society (RGS). This presentation edition was produced in a strict, limited run of 7,500 copies. Because it was custom manufactured specifically for this collaboration, these volumes are individually unnumbered but highly documented collectors' items. The Atlas features 123 double-page full-color map plates compiled by John Bartholomew & Son Ltd., supplemented by a specialized introductory historical preface written by Ian Cameron documenting the RGS's centuries of global exploration.

SIGNIFICANCE: The year 1983 marked the centenary (100-year anniversary) of several core structural shifts and expansion eras within the Society's history. Historically, 1883 was the monumental year when the RGS fundamentally transitioned from an exclusive, closed club of aristocratic explorers into a modern scientific institution. 1883 marked the official onboarding of critical modern geographers such as Sir John Scott Keltie, the structural re-organization of their global mapping rooms, and the initiation of educational programs that brought cartography to the general British public. This 1983 atlas was commissioned as a celebratory milestone to honor that century of cartographic education and public outreach.

RECIPIENTS: These volumes were primarily presented to private patrons, library subscribers and designated members of the Royal Geographical Society who participated in an exclusive reservation program. Original copies were delivered alongside a formal prospectus and a personalized letter signed by Brigadier George Hardy, the Keeper of the Map Room at the RGS. Additionally, some copies were specifically customized by the binder to be "privately printed for the library" of specific high-profile individual benefactors of the society.

MATERIALS: Unlike the standard cloth-bound trade editions of The Times Atlas, this custom commemorative volume was heavily upgraded with premium components. Full genuine black morocco leather covers the boards and spine. The spine is formed with traditional raised bands and stamped with fine gold leaf lettering. The cover features the official crowned crest of the Royal Geographical Society gilded onto the front cover and spine. All three outer paper edges are completely gilded in gold leaf. The endpapers are lined with heavy, deep blue moiré silk.

Signature/Maker’s Mark: John Bartholomew & Son Limited and the Royal Geographic Society (photos #9, 10, 12). See less