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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JULY 2020 4 THIS WEEK CARTOGRAPHY TEODOR RELJIC speaks to Joseph Schiro of the Malta Map Society about how perceptions of map collection and analysis are often only partially collect, and how Malta can boast of a rich array of cartographic treasures Delighting in the devil in the details What were the main aims of the Society when it was first established, and how did these change over time, if at all? The aims of the Society are very simple and they are to support, encourage and disseminate the study and preservation of maps, with a particular emphasis on early maps. And I believe we have been consistent during these last 10 years since the Society was founded in 2009 by Dr Albert Ganado who at 96 is the President of the Society. We have helped individuals, whether they were members of the Society or not, and governmental and non-gov- ernmental organisations, with the identification of maps, with advice on acquisitions, with map authentication, with the building of map collections, with their con- servation and preservation needs, all for free because we believe that when a person approaches us with a map he is the one who is doing us the favour as one can never know whether that particular in- dividual might unwittingly have in his possession that very rare elu- sive map which could turn out to be that real long lost treasure. As a society we have not changed our aims but we are now trying to reach out to the younger gener- ations and endeavour to involve them more in the study of antique maps. For some years now we have been working very closely with the Geography Department of the University of Malta and we organise map viewings and talks for the B.A. (Hons.) Geography students. When the museums open again we also would like to cooperate with the curators and hold map days for school children. How was cartography viewed in Malta at the time of you setting up the Society, and what has changed in that regard since then? The collection of antique maps has universally been associated with people who have the money to collect maps and with nerds who study them. But this is a very wrong impression. The collection and study of maps can take many forms. We have a member in our society who is very knowledgeable on Malta maps but I don't think he even owns one original map. With collecting, one can also go for spe- cific periods or types. Some collect only British period maps of Malta because they would be interested in the history of the British period in Malta. When I started collect- ing, I used to buy only miniature maps because those were the ones that I could afford. Then there are map collectors who are willing to pay any price to obtain that rare map. What has certainly changed since the Society was born 10 years ago is more public awareness because the Society has managed to estab- lish a national and international reputation for publishing erudite works on Malta's fascinating car- tography under the professional guidance of Dr Ganado's exper- tise and thanks to the dedication of the Committee members. We have published nine newsletters, four journals, and four books all concerning the study of Maltese cartography. On top of all this, the Society has organised several talks and exhibitions, and the very successful International Map Col- lectors Society (IMCoS) Sympo- sium which was held in Malta in 2011 which created international contacts and friendships with very important people in the field. What is it about antique maps of Malta that makes them so notable when compared to those of other countries? What does it say about how the island was perceived and recorded, particu- larly given the colonial nature of a lot of these endeavours? When compared with other maps of other countries, the map of Malta is very attractive being a fish-shaped island surrounded with blank spaces of sea for artists to fill. It is found in the middle of the Mediterranean, is endowed with a very fascinating history and has been the protagonist of some very important historical events. The shipwreck of St Paul was per- haps the earliest important event which put Malta on the interna- tional map, so to speak. Many early maps of the Mediterranean make reference to the shipwreck of St Paul in Malta and when Mal- ta started to be depicted on its own, several maps showed a ship- wreck off St Paul's Bay. With the Order's presence in Malta, the number of beautiful maps by French, Italian, Dutch, The collection of antique maps has universally been associated with people who have the money to collect maps and with nerds who study them. But this is a very wrong impression