summaries
C. Koeman - Two centuries of historical cartography
In this article the author deals with the changes in the
historiography of cartography in the course of the period
1780-1980: changes from a few and expensive publications on
old maps to massive popularized editions in our time and
from a few learned researchers to innumerable devotees
nowadays.
It all started with research into the geography of antiquity,
well respected by the author. Starting with the Dutch geo
grapher Struyck, Koeman deals with the important authors
from the 19th Century, who opened up maps as source docu-
ments in historiography. Three periods are distinguished in
the historiography:
1. the 19th Century, with scholars, librarians, archivists and
the leaders of the geographical societies;
2. the period 1900-1950, in which the retired people from the
subject area itself were also involved in historical studies;
3. from 1950 onwards, the time of popularization and of the
enormous growth of research, it) which new subjects like
map trade and the history of mapping institutes are inves-
tigated.
Facsimile publications are denoted as being very essential,
revealing the momentous role of reproduction technology in
aid of illustration. In particular, Koeman deals with the role
of (international) exhibitions and centenaries in the history
of cartography. These stimulate scientific research and yield
catalogues, but drain much research energy as well. The
democratization of research will continue and change the dis-
cipline again in the future. The author welcomes the partici-
pation of retired cartographers in historiographic studies.
G. Schilder - Historical cartography: quo vadis?
This article deals with the expected and the desired develop-
ments within the field of historical cartography in the Com
ing years. The starting point is the Service function of the
map historian, who has to pass annotated source materials to
many researchers from other disciplines. The increasing im-
portance of renovation and landscape preservation in partic
ular has stimulated map use, made possible by cartographic
bibliographies prepared by historical cartographers.
Various themes will be the sphere of work or subject of dis-
sertations: polder cartography and river cartography, includ-
ing the history of public water management in the Nether
lands. Other subjects will have to obtain priority as well:
urban cartography, in which field retrospective studies are
almost completely missing; the (rather Utopian) description
of loose, printed map sheets and particularly the very impor
tant continued publication of facsimile maps, not only old
topographic maps, but also the results of former colonial
cartography. Finally, the lack of a historical overview of
Dutch thematic cartography is noticed.
An important step to the realization of these desires would
be the establishment of a historical cartographical centre at
the State University of Utrecht, of which the terms of refer-
ence are mentioned in this article.
K. Zandvliet - Map and evidence
Zandvliet deals with the supporting function of maps as legal
documents, the so-called surveyors' maps. His article deals
specifically with the map of Rijnland and Delfland, made by
Van Berckenrode at the beginning of the 17th Century (refer
to the map extract enclosed in this issue of the Kartografisch
Tijdschrift). The disputed representation of the territory of
hoogheemraadschapDelfland was considered to be a prece-
dent by Rijnland with possible juridical consequences. The
legal function of surveyorsmaps is explained by means of
quotations from geodesy textbooks (Dou/Sems and Van
Nispen) and juridical treatises (Hugo de Groot en Simon van
Leeuwen) of those days. Claims on land were settled and
boundaries fixed by calling in a surveyor. The aim was the
legal regist rat ion of a Situation. Because of this function, sur
veyors' maps, analogous to juridical deeds, present certain
characteristics, which are described in the article.
F.J. Ormeling - Mapping of the Indies
The article Starts with a short review of the source materials
used. After that the author describes the first surveys by
Dutchmen in Java after the English interim government, exe-
cuted by the Military Engineers. At first serious doubts were
thrown upon the possibility of an accurate survey in the
densely wooded tropica! country. However, the military
necessity left no choice and slowly the survey got under way,
at first still without coordination between triangulation and
topographical survey, which were executed by two different
Services until 1882. Various residencies were surveyed with
out, and others on the basis of wrong, triangulation data, as
a consequence of inaccurate measurements with primitive in-
struments. The establishment in 1864 of an independent mili
tary Topographical Bureau (renamed Topographical Service
in 1874) led to a number of useful amendments; for example,
the use of triangulation data in the survey was made ob-
ligatory.
Until the Eighties the attention of the Topographical Service
remained concentrated on Java, after which Sumatra was
taken in hand. It was the turn of parts of the other Outer
Provinces only after 1900. A systematically organized and
maintained mapping Programme remained a pious wish be
cause of a combination of political and economic factors.
The Service was kept short of money. Besides, in 1905 it was
entrusted with fiscal measurements; a heavy bürden by which
its proper topographical task was driven into a corner. As
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