George Beans Collection of Japanese Maps of the Tokugawa Period University of British Columbia, Special Collections and University Archives Division Subjects Japan--Maps; Cartography--Japan History The collection was purchased by the library from the original collector, George H. Beans of Philadelphia, in 1964. Since then, the library has added to the collection, most notably in 1986 with the purchase of the George Bonn collection of 59 maps, of which 15 are manuscripts. Description The collection is the largest collection outside of Japan of maps of the Tokugawa period, ca 1600-1867. Many items are rare and obscure. The collection includes commercially produced Japanese maps, with emphasis on tourist and pilgrimage maps. The maps were published in Japan during the Tokugawa or Edo period. There is world coverage although the majority of maps are of the whole or of parts of Japan. Excluded from the collection are non-Japanese and post-1867 Japanese maps. Maps of Japan in European languages are in the Historical Map Collection. Present acquisition plans are to acquire original maps of the period not already in the collection, and significant material published in facsimile. Language Japanese language material predominates at present. The holdings will be broadened to include material in any language relating to early Japanese cartography. Holdings 54 monographs (including atlases); 1 serial; 140 slides; 335 maps (including 15 scrolls); 25 manuscripts (maps); 1 woodblock; 2 ceramic plates. Bibliographic Access The collection is catalogued separately as the original collector's published catalogue. See George Beans, A list of Japanese maps of the Tokugawa era (Jenkintown, Pa.: Tall Tree Library, 1951). Three supplements (A-C), 1955-1963, are also available. A new catalogue, in preparation, will be computerized and LC subject headings and classification will be used. Physical Access The collection is in Rare Books and Special Collections which is open to the public. For further information visit: http://www.library.ubc.ca/spcoll/. Interlibrary Loan: No. Reprography: Photocopying is done by the staff, as the condition of the material warrants. Reference Assistance: Yes. Publications Describing Collection Imago Mundi. -- Vol. 18 (1964).-- Berlin: Selbstverlag des Bibliographikon, 1964. Two essays and an M.A. thesis have also been based on the collection.