Cartography is the process of making maps. For my purposes it includes the instruments of navigation, map projections, mapping themes, and so on. As time goes on I will try to cover all of these areas.
     The Carto-Philatelist Society, affiliated with the American Topical Association and the American Philatelic Society, uses a simplified system for grading maps on stamps based on the one developed by Mark D. Larkin.
          A = a good map
          AR = a reproduction of an old map or chart
          O = all other maps
          OC= map makers and mapmaking equipment         
     The Society has also released a check list of maps on stamps. It contains over 15,000 entries based on the original ATA Handbook #104 published in 1982; and updates for 1982 through March 2003. Annual updates are planned. For more information on the Carto-Philatelist Society click on the Society's link in "Resources."
 

If you have comments, corrections, or questions email me.