Map sale at Shropshire Archives
A map sale of Ordnance Survey maps, mostly dated 1900 – 1903, is to take place at Shropshire Archives on Saturday 7 December 2019 to raise funds to an original 16th century manuscript.
Following rationalisation of its map collection, Shropshire Archives is selling duplicate copies of the second edition 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey maps of Shropshire. These are mostly dated 1900-1903.
All monies raised from the sale will support the appeal to save the 16th century manuscript of the Life of Sir Philip Sidney by Fulke Greville. This unique treasure, which is part of Shropshire Archives’ outstanding resources, is at risk and requires urgent conservation work to prevent it deteriorating further.
Fulke Greville manuscript
The sale of the maps has been organised by the Friends of Shropshire Archives, a charity who support the work of Shropshire Council’s archive service.
Jill Ming, the Chair of the Friends of Shropshire Archives, said:
If you’re looking for a unique Shropshire Christmas present this is your chance! The maps are very detailed and cover many areas of the county. We have raised almost half of the £1,800 needed for our appeal, and hope this sale will make a big contribution towards our target.
Mary Mckenzie, Shropshire Archives manager, said:
This is a great opportunity to have a part of Shropshire’s history, while supporting a very important cause. The appeal is essential to secure the long term preservation of this wonderful biography which is over 400 years old.
Details of the maps available at £3 each can be found on the Friends of Shropshire Archives website. Individual sheets can be reserved by emailing the Friends via the website.
The sale will take place at Shropshire Archives, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AQ from 10am-4pm on Saturday 7 December. Payments can be made by cash or cheque only. Cheques should be made payable to the Friends of Shropshire Archives.
Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586) was one of Elizabeth I’s preeminent courtiers. A scholar, poet and soldier, he died at the age of 31 at the battle of Zutphen in the Netherlands. Both Sir Philip Sidney and Fulke Greville (1554-1628) were educated at Shrewsbury School, arriving on the same day in 1564, and became lifelong friends.
Following Sidney’s death, Greville, who was also an author and an important politician under Elizabeth I and James I, wrote the life which was first published in 1652. This original manuscript was part of the collections acquired by Shrewsbury Library, and now forms part of Shropshire Archives’ collections.
