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Mike Stobbs | all galleries >> Galleries >> Every Now & Then Part II > Just Old Maps
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Oct 22nd 2008 Mike Stobbs

Just Old Maps

“Just Old Maps” but not just any old maps.
These maps are very special to me as they belonged to a very special customer of mine.
I have dealt with this customer for over 25 years. When I came in to deal
with this customer we chat across his counter with a glass top under which these maps would lay.
I would take his order and the next time I was out I would sit it on this very counter for him.
I often looked at the maps and the places on them that I had been to or would like to visit,
and I knew they were old by some of the places on them that did not show up on newer maps.
I asked him if he ever was to get rid of them call me first and I would buy them..but please never pitch them out.
Well in 1995 my customer a very good friend also passed away and his son took over the business and I knew him very well also.
We did the same deals across the same counter over these very maps.
I also asked him the same thing could I buy the maps if he ever was going to get rid of them.
I also asked the shop foreman to keep me up to date on the maps if anything was going to change.
Well after 25 years of deals my customer calls the other night and asks if I still would like the maps?
Darn right I do and how much? I will bring cash, “no charge” he says.
So after 25 years and hundreds of deals over this counter I have these very special maps.
Yes to you they are just 43 year old maps but to me, 25 years of memories.
I also knew a man that worked for the Queen's Printers that made these maps.

Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S ED IF N
1/250s f/8.0 at 50.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Jim Larkin28-Oct-2008 04:10
Very cool indeed. You're right....there are places on there that aren't on todays maps.
pkocinski24-Oct-2008 04:04
I'm beginning to think that no one in Saskatchewan ever throws anything away :-) Great story Mike.
Lee G23-Oct-2008 18:09
Planning the trip and mapping out the journey is as much fun as the actual trip itself. Nice find, Mike!
Steve Sharp23-Oct-2008 16:21
Great story - I love old maps (well, I love all maps really), but when you have 'history' with the maps themselves, they become even more prized possessions, so well done!
Cindi Smith23-Oct-2008 13:48
Special maps, indeed! I know you must be thrilled to have them now and cherish those memories.
Guest 23-Oct-2008 07:00
Mike, did you hear about google maps? :)) It must be helluva worth artifact... voted!
Glenn D.23-Oct-2008 01:24
Nice Mike; image with accompanying story and memories - seems to be history week.
Steve Mockford22-Oct-2008 23:44
Nice shot Mike...and a great story.
Walter Otto Koenig22-Oct-2008 23:21
Very cool Mike. I'm a collector of maps and atlases my self, so I can appreciate your interest and the story.
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