Maps Change Lives

Maps may be simply static images, but they can certainly have a dramatic impact on our lives. 
mapsales.com takes a look at how 1 large map collection has changed the lives of several people in Mount Washington, California. 

John Everett Feathers passed away last February, leaving his Mount Washington, California home and his map collection behind.  You may not have heard of John Feathers, but you may have heard of his map collection, which was adopted by the Los Angeles Public Library and is currently the 5^th largest map collection in the world. 

Los Angeles librarian Glen Creason was the first to uncover and catalogue the maps, and he would certainly say that his life was turned upside down by the discovery.  In the old 948 square foot home of John Feathers were endless piles of bound atlases, rolled up wall maps, and fold-out street maps.  Creason hired movers to haul 220 boxes worth of maps away to the LA Public Library.  Now he is using the Feathers maps to answer library visitors’ questions. 

“It's been really fun”, Creason said.  “These maps have attracted so much attention. People come in and actually know my name.”

The real estate agent that first discovered the collection in Feathers’ home has described the experience as “life changing” as well. The real estate agent, Matthew Greenberg, commented that donating the maps rather than throwing them away “made [him] look at things differently.”

Feathers’ Mount Washington home was set to be demolished after the maps were sent to the LA Public Library.  But one local, Maureen Burke, intrigued by the publicity surrounding the home, decided to take a look at it.  “The views are wonderful, the neighbors are nice,” said Burke.  She decided to buy the house, a house she would have never known existed had it not been for the expansive map collection that was once hidden within. 

Maps can certainly change lives.  The next time you want to give a gift or make a meaningful statement in your home, try a wall map.  Wall maps make beautiful displays and have sentimental value as well. 

Want to learn more about giving maps as gifts? Contact us!  mapsales.com carries over 200,000 wall maps…delivered as fast as next day!