Do any Eye readers frequent dodgy antique dealers? If so, they might help Friends at Manchester Mount Street Meeting House locate their faded Quaker travelling map. Co-clerk Rob Phillips tells us that the map has been on display for many years on the wall of the library, a room kept locked for most of the time, but unlocked on Sundays - 'and at other times when people express a plausible desire to consult the books or spend some time in silence,' says Rob.
The map is of the British Isles (with the North of Scotland drawn as an inset). It gives the location of Quaker meetings, with a key to show when Meeting for Worship is held. It also shows the principle roads between meetings and market towns. It is printed in black on yellowed paper. It has been folded earlier in its life and when last seen was in a black wooden frame.
Manchester Friends do not know the historical or financial value of the map, nor whether there are surviving copies elsewhere. While it is no longer of any practical use (Friends prefer to use trains or SatNav), it would be good to see it back on the wall in Mount Street's library where it would again satisfy the curious. Would be sleuths are invited to contact the Mount Street wardens.
We’ll ask our last editor Harry Albright, who was a map aficionado, to keep an Eye out for it.

Labels: antique, map