The world’s largest Atlas, printed on a KBA Rapida press, will make an appearance this weekend as part of the National Library’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Wellington.
Weighing in at 150kg and measuring 2.8m by 1.8m when open, the Earth Platinum Atlas claims status as the largest ever published. It has a steel spine and a cover made of leather-coated wood. Each of its 128 pages measures the thickness of a standard business card and it needs two people to turn one of its pages.
Gordon Cheers, from Millenium House, with printers at Litorama in Milan
In 2011, Sydney publishers Millennium House commissioned Italian print company Litorama to print the massive book. Litorama produced a limited edition of 31 copies on the world’s biggest sheetfed offset press, a KBA Rapida 205. The project had some Kiwi input with Roger Smith, from Wellington, working as chief cartographer on the project, overseeing the work of 88 other cartographers around the world to produce the final maps.
At the time, Gordon Cheers, publisher at Millenium House, said, “The print quality delivered by the KBA Rapida 205 is fantastic. I don’t know how we would have produced Earth Platinum without this awesome machine.”
Last year, the National Library purchased its copy, which will appear along with other seldom seen items from the Alexander Turnbull Library including Katherine Mansfield’s passport and hand-made pistons and other bike engine parts made by Burt Munro, who piloted the world’s fastest Indian motorcycle.
Gordon Cheers beside the Earth Platinum Atlas
Bill MacNaught, national librarian, says, “We know that many people are surprised by the richness and diversity of our collections. Saturday is a special opportunity to gain some surprising insights into the treasures we care for on behalf of all New Zealanders. It’s also a chance to learn more about the new ways we share knowledge across New Zealand using the latest digital tools.”
Visitors to the library anniversary will also learn of the stories behind some of the library collections from the last 50 years. The library will conduct a tour of the underground maze of library stacks, and special insights into current exhibitions such as Unfolding the Map and Not one More Acre which commemorates the Maori Land March 40 years on.
The organisers say kids can enjoy storytelling and other activities. Actor Jimmy O’Donovan will bring to life Margaret Mahy’s A Lion in the Meadow and other titles. Mahy, a former staff member, penned numerous Kiwi children’s books. Click here for a full timetable of activities.
What: National Library 50th anniversary
When: 10am – 3.30pm November 28
Where: National Library of New Zealand, corner of Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington
Web site: www.natlib.govt.nz
