Vivian C. Bushnell · 1966
Vivian C. Bushnell introduces the American Geographical Society’s Antarctic Map Folio Series, intended to summarize current knowledge of Antarctica through unbound maps and accompanying text, and describes its first three published folios. Folio 1, Aeronomical Maps for the Antarctic, chiefly maps ionospheric conditions during the IGY and IGC, using sounding data from 28 stations south of 30°S; its text explains the sounding principle and results. Folio 2, Physical Characteristics of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, maps surface elevations, ice thickness, annual snow accumulation, annual surface temperatures, and near-surface densities, with diagrams and photographs documenting deep-pit and core studies at ten stations. Folio 3, Antarctic Maps and Surveys 1900–1964, has plates compiled by the Society with the United States Geological Survey and text by George D. Whitmore. Eight plates show map coverage, two aerial-photography coverage, and one mapping control. Its text surveys mapping history, international cooperation, geographical naming procedures, and survey techniques; appendices list mapping centers, publishers, and maps covering the whole continent.
Charles B. Hitchcock · 1966
American Geographical Society director Charles B. Hitchcock recounts the planning and early production of the Antarctic Map Folio Series, supported financially and advised by the National Science Foundation. An atlas proposal made in 1958 led to questionnaires circulated in 1959–1960, which received 178 responses. Intended for scientists and students seriously interested in Antarctica, the project adopted separately issued, single-subject folios so that completed material could be published without waiting for a bound atlas. The Society received the production contract in November 1962 and appointed Vivian Bushnell executive editor. Hitchcock describes her use of a classified file of some 3,000 scientific reports from 1957–1963, research-program lists, and consultations with scientists to plan the contents. Specialist advisers and international contributors assisted with individual subjects. Coverage and presentation varied with the evidence: flowering-plant maps would show every known locality, while lichen maps would illustrate selected distribution patterns; sparse marine-invertebrate records required contributors to assess what could meaningfully be mapped. At the time of writing, the aeronomy, ice-sheet characteristics, and maps-and-surveys folios had appeared. Hitchcock outlined a series covering 17 subjects, sometimes with two folios per subject, and reported further cartographic work in progress. Publication order initially depended on when authors completed their material.
Unknown · 1981
The notice describes the Antarctic Map Folio Series as 19 folios, each with text, extensive references, color maps, and drawings in an 11-by-17-inch case. Subjects include atmospheric climatology, terrestrial life, glaciers, Antarctic waters, marine invertebrates, birds, and mammals. It reports that remaining stocks were transferred from the American Geographical Society to the National Science Foundation in June 1980 for sale at greatly reduced prices. Some folios were already out of print, and limited stocks were to be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. No reprinting was planned; microform copies through the National Technical Information Service were being considered.
