Aims and functions
- To provide an informal and convivial forum for all
those interested in maps, atlases, topographical views,
etc. be they collectors, academics, antiquarians,
students,...
- To organise lectures on various aspects of
historical cartography, on archiving and conservation.
- To organise visits to exhibitions, private
collections and map rooms of libraries or institutions.
In order to achieve these aims, the Circle organises
the following regular events:
- A Map Evening in March or April, bringing together
all those interested in maps — members as well as
non-members — for an informal chat about an item
from their collection. An ideal opportunity to get to
know the Circle!
- An Excursion to a map collection, during September
to November.
- A Study Session or an International Conference on a
specific and major topic every second year in December.
The Circle also publishes three illustrated Newsletters
per year, offering:
- articles and contributions by members and
specialists
- reports on past activities of the Circle and its
future programme
- reviews of specialised books and exhibitions
- an agenda of national and international events
- presentations of websites
- auction announcements
What do our members get for their money?
- free admission to most of the BIMCC events
- three Newsletters per year
- free BIMCC conference hand-outs
Circle's curriculum
Brussels International Map Collectors' Circle (BIMCC)
Founded 1998 as a non-profit association under Belgian
law.
Company identification no 0464.423.627.
For purely practical reasons, the Circle has adopted
English as its working language.
Participants are, however, free to express themselves
in Dutch, French or German.
Themes of the international biennal conferences:
- China, 11 December 2010
- Exploratory Cartography, from Heaven to Earth,
5 December 2009
- Formatting Europe - Mapping a Continent,
16 November 2007
- Charting the Seas - Seven centuries of maritime
cartography, 9 December 2006
- Into and Out of Africa - Mapping the dark continent
in the later 19th century, 11 December 2004
- Mare Nostrum - Maps of the Mediterranean,
14 December 2002
- From the Low Countries to the High Seas: Dutch maps
from the Age of discoveries, 9 December 2000
- Ortelius commemorated, 12 December 1998
Study sessions organised by the Circle in the recent
past:
- On ancient cartography, 13 December 2008
- Belgian Cartography - 16th to 19th century,
10 December 2005
- Plans and views of towns and fortified places,
13 December 2003
- Cartography with a purpose: maps for strategies in
times of war and peace, 23 February 2002
- Books on maps: reference works and
carto-bibliographies, 17 February 2001
- Understanding maps: on map construction, scale,
accuracy, symbols, etc., 19 February 2000
- Conservation, restoration and archiving of old maps
and atlases, 20-21 February 1998
Excursions made to:
- Middelburg, Zeeuws Archief, 29 October 2010
- Sincfala, Museum van de Zwinstreek, Knokke-Heist, 17 October 2009
- Leiden University Library, Bodel Nyenhuis Map Collection, 24 October 2008
- National Geographic Institute,
Brussels, 21 September 2007
- Map Room of the University Library, Utrecht,
13 October 2006
- Dr. Tomasz Niewodniczański in Bitburg,
1 October 2005
- Rare Books Section of the Royal Library of Belgium,
Brussels, 29 October 2004
- Private collections in Hasselt, 12 October 2002,
and Halle, 18 October 2003
- Maritiem Museum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 6 October
2001
- Map Room of the Bibliothèque nationale de
France, Paris, 6 October 2000
- Maps of the banks of the Scheldt, Antwerp and its
fortifications, Lillo (near Antwerp), 3 October 1999
- Mercatormuseum, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, 21 February
1999
- Plantin-Moretus Museum, Antwerp, 13 December 1998
- Map Room of the Royal Library of Belgium, Brussels,
12 December 1998
- The Pourbus wall map of the Brugse Vrije,
Bruges, 10 October 1998
Newsletters issued (up to January 2012): 42
Becoming a Member
To become a Member, please pay the Membership dues
EXCLUSIVELY by bank transfer (no cheques please) and
notify the Secretary indicating your name and address.
Annual Membership: EUR 30.00
Students and Juniors under-25's: EUR 12.00
IBAN BE52 0682 4754 2209
BIC: GKCCBEBB
Registration to be sent to:
Eddy Masschalck
BIMCC
Ridder Van Ranstlei 77
2640 Mortsel
Belgïë
Telephone +32 (0) 474 93 47 61
E-mail: info@bimcc.org
Brussels International
Map Collectors' Circle
