Fonds
War Office Archive: cartographic and topographic source material
Catalogue reference: WOA
What’s it about?
This record is about the War Office Archive: cartographic and topographic source material dating from 1880-1955.
Is it available online?
Maybe, but not on The National Archives website. This record is held at British Library, Map Library.
Can I see it in person?
Not at The National Archives, but you may be able to view it in person at British Library, Map Library.
Full description and record details
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Reference (The unique identifier to the record described, used to order and refer to it)
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WOA
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Title (The name of the record)
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War Office Archive: cartographic and topographic source material
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Date (When the record was created)
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1880-1955
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Description (What the record is about)
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Source material used for making and revising maps, or created in the course of map production. Supporting the topographical intelligence requirements of the United Kingdom government and armed forces, the archive primarily comprises cartographic items including sketch maps done by intelligence officers in the field, surveyors' field sheets and cartographers' fair drawings. Most of the items are manuscript, including tracings and copies made using a variety of short-run reproduction technologies. The archive also includes directly associated textual material, chiefly itineraries and place name lists. Geographical coverage extends to all parts of the world with particular strengths in Africa, China, and the Middle East.
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Arrangement (Information about the filing sequence or logical order of the record)
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The original War Office arrangement into three categories is retained, dividing the archive into three series: Material; Original Surveys; and Originals of GSGS Maps.
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Related material (A cross-reference to other related records)
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The original accession ledgers maintained by the War Office are in the UK National Archives at file references WO 408/41-44. A copy of these ledgers in four volumes is kept in the British Library at shelfmark Maps 225.c.18.
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Held by (Who holds the record)
- British Library, Map Library
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Legal status (A note as to whether the record being described is a Public Record or not)
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Public Record(s)
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Language (The language of the record)
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English
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Creator(s) (The creator of the record)
- War Office
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Physical description (The amount and form of the record)
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400 map trays and 150 boxes of foolscap pages, approximately
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Access conditions (Information on conditions that restrict or affect access to the record)
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Restrictions to access apply please consult British Library staff
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Immediate source of acquisition (When and where the record was acquired from)
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The archive was principally deposited in two separate transfers, the first in 1965 by Survey Reproduction Centre, R.E., and the second in 1989 by Mapping and Charting Establishment, R.E. Survey Reproduction Centre, R.E., and its successor, Mapping and Charting Establishment, R.E., were operational agencies of the Directorate of Military Survey.
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Record URL
- https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/e42c4042-0310-422d-8496-36a1167a2416/
Catalogue hierarchy
This record is held at British Library, Map Library
You are currently looking at the fonds: WOA
War Office Archive: cartographic and topographic source material