About this research guide
Created by the Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian, this guide provides information about the historical maps and atlases available in Rare Books and Special Collections at UBC Library. You will find information about some of our notable collections of historical maps, as well as how to access materials in the collection.
Historical Maps at RBSC
Rare Books and Special Collections’ holdings of cartographic archives and historical maps are especially strong in pre-1800 world/hemispheres, pre-1900 North America and the Pacific Rim, the Canadian Arctic, fire insurance plans of B.C. towns and cities, and Tokugawa / Edo-period Japan. Our printed and archival holdings include historical maps (both printed and hand-drawn), charts, engineering and architectural drawings, atlases and globes, and plans and blueprints.
To search for maps published after 1900, please visit the UBC Library Map Library.
Image: Kanagawakō ōezu. Ichigyokusai. Yokohama : Shin'eidō, 1859; 安政 (Ansei) 6.
Related UBC Library Research Guides
If you want to continue your research beyond our collections, the links below will help guide you in searching the UBC Library catalogue and other important databases and journals.
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BC Fire Insurance MapsFire insurance plans are detailed large-scale maps of cities, smaller municipalities, and industrial sites. This guide is intended to aid users in locating the fire insurance plans of specific blocks within the multiple volumes that cover an area.
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Finding and Using Materials in Rare Books and Special CollectionsThis is a guide to searching for materials in RBSC.
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GeographyThis guide helps you search for resources related to geography including databases, journals, theses and dissertations, and data and statistics.
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HistoryThis guide will help you locate books, articles, online databases, journals, primary sources, and theses concerning history.
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Maps & AtlasesThis is a guide to the University of British Columbia Library Map Collection, including information on what kinds of maps and atlases are in the collection and where to find them, how to find online maps, and how to find other sources of information related to maps.
