Mapping happiness

Dr Cyrus Alai – the author of the seminal books on General Maps of Persia, and Special Maps of Persia – has donated his balanced and cohesive collection of maps of Persia to SOAS – and last week was the official thankyou ceremony.

There was a keynote speech, but I wanted to share some of what Cyrus said after that. He spoke of how dealers buy saleable items to sell on; while collectors choose what they want to keep, what they enjoy. He told a story about another collector, visited by Met Museum staff, who was distressed when they offered to purchase some of his items, saying “I have collected these objects for over 50 years, with care and love. How can I sell my children?”

Cyrus also spoke of how maps are tools of communication, more international than literature (since they need less translation) – and how it is maps that provide a clear and vivid awareness of the most ignored fact about the earth: that there’s a single planet, and nowhere else to go!

Cyrus said that, when he came from Iran to London, he was given opportunities – and that his gift to SOAS was part of him giving something back to London. He was, he said, a very happy donor!

Of course, Cyrus’ biggest gift to all of us – is him being Cyrus. He’s a lovely person, as well as a splendid scholar!

Voice of America have produced a short video about Cyrus and map collection: here. This is in Persian – but even for those who dont speak Persian, it’s a chance to see some of Cyrus’ maps and prints.

I’ve been interested in maps for ages – and I’ve just found the British Library map blog. It’s great!