From Dante’s Hell to Zelda: rare fantasy map collection to go on view in Zurich
Cartographical works tied to famous works of fiction will feature in an exhibition at Zentralbibliothek Zürich
A rare collection of fantasy-inspired maps, often associated with popular literature and media, is set to be displayed for the first time in Zurich. The exhibition, opening tomorrow, features 60 rare maps from a private collection of 168 pieces gathered by lawyer Sunderland Cohen over the past few years. The collection, called Ex Carta, includes the first printed map of Dante's Hell (1506), hand-drawn images of Treasure Island, maps featured in the video game The Legend of Zelda, and a prop map of the Holy Grail from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Curator Jost Schmid-Lanter, head of the library's map collection, anticipates that the works will evoke childhood memories tied to Narnia, Harry Potter, and Winnie the Pooh. Cohen's interest in collecting maps from fiction was sparked by her love of fantasy novels from a young age, with her first acquisition stemming from reading "The Hobbit" at the age of ten.
She emphasizes that her collection adheres to a single rule: the materials must be printed matter. Cohen's fascination for maps is a family tradition, inherited from her father Neil Sunderland, who was inspired by his love of travel. The Sunderland Collection, now featuring over 150 rare world maps and atlases from 1200 to 1800, provides a unique perspective on humanity's attempts to understand the earth's geography.
Ex Carta, however, focuses on imaginary worlds. Both collections are known for their exceptional content and condition. Since 2021, the Sunderland Collection has been accessible in digital form through Oculi Mundi, an open-access site. In addition to the Zurich exhibition, other pieces from the Sunderland Collection will be featured in Night Mapping at the Warburg Institute in London starting October 21st.
The exhibition at the Warburg Institute will be followed by larger surveys in London and Edinburgh later in the year.
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