March 2013 | Nate Pedersen

World's Largest Atlas

Yesterday, Rebecca wrote about the world's tiniest book, recently published by a Japanese firm, which measures 0.75 x 0.75 mm.

On the other side of the equation, is the Earth Platinum Atlas - the largest atlas ever produced - which clocks in at an impressive 6 ft x 9 ft.  The Earth Platinum Atlas was in the news recently as the the publishing company behind it is seeking new investors to keep the project afloat.

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The Atlas is being published by Millenium Publishing, a company established by the Australian publisher Gordon Cheers in 2005 with the primary goal of producing this book.  The idea had been rejected by a variety of mainstream publishers due to its extraordinary high price tag.

At a reputed cost of $1m+ to produce the 31 copies of the Earth Platinum Atlas, it's not hard to see why.

Millenium has thus far sold seven copies of the book, which retail for $100,000.

A copy of the Earth Platinum Atlas resides in the British Library, along with the freshly de-throned Klencke Atlas, which has held the title of World's Largest Atlas since King Charles II ascended to the throne of England.  

In 1660.

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The Klencke Atlas - produced with 17th century technology - measures a puny 5 ft 9 by 6 ft 3.  

It was only publicly displayed for the first time three years ago in 2010.

[Promotional images gleaned from Millennium House and the British Library respectively]