This great antique roller route map of Scotland dates to the start of the 20th Century (c1910) and was created mainly for cyclists. The maps are marked for the Cycling Touring Club (CTC) and while the rest is unmarked and undated, the set-up would likely have been created and sold by them for the growing band of English amateur cyclists at the time. Leather loops on the case were for attaching to the handlebars and spare maps are stored in the base. Overall this is a very well thought-through item and is nice and rare now.
Although not particularly high-tech, roller maps such as this have an interesting part not only in the history of cycling, but in the pre-history of satellite navigation. While rolled up ribbon maps have been around for hundreds of years for use navigating rivers and the like, roller maps only seem to have appeared towards the very end of the 19th Century as personal transport got faster. In many ways cycling was the ideal target for roller maps as the pace was slow enough to make the details on the maps useful, but quick enough (and hands free) to make them useful.
While others trying to produce roller maps for cars would really struggle to come up with a map system that could keep pace with the rapidly changing location of the vehicle, this system for bikes was a regular map which has been cut up and re-glued back together in a logical order.
This example is offered in lovely condition overall and appears complete. The maps roll smoothly. The glass panel on the unit does have a break and the lid of the leather case has been repaired along the back fragile join. The maps are in nice condition and overall this kit would be perfect for display.
Dimensions of case: 31 cm long x 21 cm wide x 6.5 cm deep.
