Maps of Paris, 1754-1907

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Summary

Abstract:
A collection of 152 printed maps of Paris and its environs, dating from 1754 to 1907. Most are hand-colored, indexed, and many are illustrated with vignettes of famed monuments.
Extent:
152 maps
Language:
Collection material is in French.
Preferred citation:

Maps of Paris, 1754-1907, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. P910001.https://www.getty.edu/research/collections/collection/113YM3

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of 152 printed maps of Paris and its environs, dating from 1754 to 1907. Most are hand-colored, indexed, and many are illustrated with vignettes of famed monuments. Various innovative cartographic techniques are utilized, including the "méthode Zugenbuhler," the "système Acklin," and the "procédé de géomontographie Bauerkeller," a bas-relief process. Most are mounted on canvas to facilitate folding, and many are in original folders and/or slipcases.

The collection covers the period during which Paris was transformed from a largely medieval city into a modern metropolis under Napoléon Bonaparte and Napoléon III, reflecting the division of the city into 12 arrondissements, and the building of the rail system and train stations. Most prominent are the changes instigated by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann (1809-1891) for Napoléon III during the 1850s and 60s, including the cutting of wide, straight, arterial thoroughfares; the renovation and expansion of the system of bridges across the Seine; the creation of the modern water and sewer systems; the demolition and rebuilding of the Île de la Cité into an administrative and religious center; and the annexation of the suburbs, resulting in a total of 20 arrondissements. The map from 1873 indicates buildings and monuments destroyed during the Paris Commune. Included also are guides with maps for the Expositions nationales of 1844 and 1849, and Exposition universelle of 1889.

Unless otherwise specified (i.e. "paper only"), all maps are mounted on canvas.

Acquisition information:
Acquired as a collection in 1991.
Processing information:

The collection was originally processed and rehoused, by Brian Parshall in 1997. Brian Parshall's original finding aid was created in 1997. Karen Meyer- Roux created the corresponding bibliographic records in 2015 and 2016. Laura Schroffel encoded a new finding aid from the bibliographic records in 2017.

Arrangement:

Arranged by date and numbered 1 through 152.

Physical location:
Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for this collection. Click here for the access policy.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers.

Terms of access:

Contact Library Reproductions and Permissions

Preferred citation:

Maps of Paris, 1754-1907, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. P910001.https://www.getty.edu/research/collections/collection/113YM3

Location of this collection:
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
Contact:
(310) 440-7390
Website