The Moll Collection: A Web Presentation of Rare Maps

The Bernard Paul Moll Collection, with its scope (12,000 pieces), ranks among the largest surviving historical map units in Central Europe. To make it accessible, we have created an interactive web presentation, which reflects the unique composition of the ensemble and allows for a clear search across the entire digitized collection.

An essential part of the system is a high-resolution interactive interface that allows detailed display of even the smallest cartographic elements. This functionality is especially crucial for professional research work and allows the study of rare works, including the finest details, without the risk of damage by repeated manipulation.

Users can browse the collection by historical breakdown by county or search by territorial affiliation, author, or time period.

The project offers tools for active work with history that go beyond just displaying data. Instead of a static digitized archive or a display case, an “interactive reading room” was created for the collection and a tool for professional work and popularization of cultural heritage.

Examples of deployments for galleries, museums and archives:

Moll's collection serves as a reference solution for the digital presentation of large collections, where visual detail and territorial, historical or thematic context play a key role.

• Detailed study of works of art: Display of graphics, drawings or vedut in high resolution, which allows expert analysis of artifacts without the need for physical manipulation of the original.

• Georeferenced funds: Making photos, postcards or plans available through an interactive map interface and filtering by historical sites.

• Historical Plans and Chronicles: Publication of large-format works and multi-sheet documents with the possibility of smooth leafing and comparison of time layers.

• Making Rare Collections Available: Creation of specialized sites for comprehensive collections that, for example, require a specific sorting system.

‍

‍