Magnificent Maps ended last Sunday, and may I say a huge thank you to those of you who came and saw it over the past four months, making it the most successful exhibition in the history of the British Library.

It was genuinely thrilling to walk through the exhibition each afternoon, especially during the final weeks, and to see so many of you enjoying the spectacles. Many of you were also wearing spectacles. In fact, I strongly suspect a number of you visited the exhibition more than once, which is why free exhibitions are so great.

Here are some comparison shots of a) the gallery during the final weekend and b) the gallery a few moments ago.

 

All good things come to an end, and my task this week, and the task of the British Library's exhibition and conservation teams, has been to dismantle the show and get the maps of magnificence back safely into their cool, dark, underground homes. Laura from our registrars office has been co-ordinating the return of the loan maps to their various institutions. Its all proceeding really smoothly thanks to the dedication of all, and a real reminder of the large number of people and expertise needed to make something like this happen.Thank you to everyone who made Magnificent Maps a reality.

The show may be over, but the blog must go on! I see no reason to stop talking about maps, since not only have I and my colleagues much more to say, but maps continue to be around us, even if there isn't a map exhibition in the vicinity. Maps continue to excite opinions, anger and pleasure, in equal measure! Thanks for watching, and watch this space.