Atlas of the Philippine Islands

Atlas of the Philippine Islands
by Manila Observatory
Adopted for Conservation by
Phil & Jane Skuta
for Ninfa, Patty, and Ruby, in honor of Manuel Artuz
on May 17, 2021
Atlas of the Philippine Islands folio book

Atlas of the Philippine Islands

By Manila Observatory. Washington, D.C.: [U.S.] G.P.O., 1900.

This atlas was drawn up in the late 1880s under the supervision of Jesuit Observatory director Fr Joséš Algue, S.J. At a time when no full surveys of the islands existed, the compilers painstakingly worked to collect and verify all available data from residents, travelers, explorers, and the like. Native Philippine draftsmen executed the drawings. When the Philippines was ceded to the U.S. in 1899, the U.S. recognized the project’s value and agreed to publish the work through the U.S. Coastal and Geodetic Survey, redoing some maps and including an introduction and statistical information. A letter tipped-in the beginning of this atlas tells us it was given to the library by Otis Mason, a Smithsonian scientist and internationally known anthropologist.

Condition and Treatment: 

This book has an early-20th century olive green cloth binding. The front board is gilt stamped with the title. The front board is detached and the back board is partially detached. A letter from the donor is attached to the front endpaper. The title page is nearly detached at the gutter.  Conservators will remove and repair the case, reline the spine, and reattach the repaired original cover. The tear to the title page will be repaired and the letter placed in a mylar L-sleeve. A protective enclosure will be created for the repaired volume.

Discover more about this book in our Catalog.

Adoption Type: Preserve for the Future