Cartes a figures
Maps with figures in small panels around the outer sides. Characteristic of some 17th century maps.
Cartouche
Emblem-like device containing title or other information. May be very elaborate or very simple.
Centrefold
A crease running through the centre of a map where it was folded to be inserted into an atlas
Chain lines (chain marks)
Marks left in laid paper by the coarse components of the wire mesh of the deckle, which was the wood frame used to make each sheet of paper individually. The chain marks runparallel to the short dimension of the original sheet and are widely spaced, usually about 2-3 cm. See laid lines .
Charts
Maps used for navigation.
Colour
- Contemporary: Colour that was applied at or about the time the map was printed. Note that the word contemporary refers to the time the map was made, not to the current time period.
- Full Colour: Colour applied to all the parts of a map (except possibly the sea).
- Later Colour: Colour applied to a map after it was printed, but may suggest that the colour is not recent or modern.
- Original Colour: Colour applied to the map at or about the time it was printed.
- Outline Colour: Applied or printed colour delineating or accentuating geopolitical boundaries (such as countries) or geological interfaces (such as land/sea) only.
- Recent (modern) colour: Colour applied to an uncoloured map recently, as in last week or last year.
- Colour wash: Broad areas that are painted are said to have wash colour, often to distinguish the colour from outline.
Compass rose
The elements of a compass card shown on a map. Rhumblines radiate from the compass rose. See also wind rose .
Composite atlas
An atlas, other than a regular edition, that contains an idiosyncratic collection of bound maps not necessarily by the same cartographer.
Condition
The overall physical quality of a map.
Conservation
Any deliberate action taken to preserve or prevent further damage.
Contemporary
The period at or about the time the map, print or bookwas published; not contemporary in the sense of being current or modern. For example, a map with contemporary colour, is a map that had its colour applied around the time it was published.
Copper plate (copperplate)
The plate, made of copper, that is incised in making copperplate engravings. Copper plates were superceded by steel plates which were acclaimed for their better accuracy and longevity. i.e - they held their detail longer before wearing out.
Copper plates were in use between 1550 and 1830. Unlike the earlier woodcuts, additions could easily be made to a plate by simply hammering the plate from the back, smoothing the surface and re-engraving to add the necessary detail.
