Richard W. Seale A Map of NORTH AMERICA from 1745. The map shows a general outline of North America, but shows "Gulf of California or Red Sea" separating California from the mainland. A key on the map reads: A map of North America with the European Settlements & whatever else is remarkable in the West Indies from the latest and best observations.
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John M. Olin Library, Level 1

Parts Unknown: The Charlie Shaeffer Map Collection

All maps tell stories, but only some of the stories are true. The maps in the Charlie Shaeffer Map Collection tell the story of the Island of California, a myth which persisted for over a century and is considered one of the biggest blunders in the history of cartography.

This exhibition is organized by practicum student Diana Bell as part of her Masters of Library and Information Science program at the University of Missouri-Columbia with an emphasis in Archival Studies.

Header Image Credit: Seale, Richard W. A Map of NORTH AMERICA. 1745.