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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
The Rotz Atlas
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

The Rotz Atlas

Artifact ID1982.00940.01a-b
Object Type Atlas
Gifter
Artist (French cartographer, c. 1505 - c. 1560)
Editor (Map Curator, The British Library)
Author (Member of the House of Lords (1962-1999), Member of Parliament (1943-1962))
Date 1541 (original), 1981
Medium Paper, Leather, Ink
Dimensions24 1/2 × 15 3/4 × 1 3/4 in. (62.2 × 40 × 4.4 cm)
Physical DescriptionA replica of the Rotz Atlas with a red leather cover in a red leather slipcase. (a) The book's cover has a raised painted red and white Tudor Rose surmounted by a blue and gold crown with ermine lining. The spine has gold rectangles, with the topmost one containing the Royal cipher of Queen Elizabeth II, "E II R," surmounted by St Edward's Crown in gold. The next one is lettered "THE ROTZ ATLAS" in gold. The bottom one is lettered "1981" in gold. The title page has text stating, "THE BOKE OF IDROGRAPHY PRESENTED IN 1542 BY JEAN ROTZ TO KING HENRY VIII". It is inscribed "Elizabeth R 1982" in ink. It includes reproductions of the illuminated pages and twelve maps of the original atlas. The original inscription to Henry VIII, reads "Heir endeth this booke of Idrography, made be me Johne Rotz, sarvant to the Kingis mooste exellent Majeste, in the yer of owr Lord Gode jm. vc. xlij. and of his mooste triumphant regne the xxxiiij. yere. Excludit. Gode save his majeste." The replica edition was edited by Helen Wallis, with a foreword by David McAdam Eccles, Viscount Eccles, P.C., C.H., K.C.V.O. (b) The slipcase's cover is red cloth with the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom in gold and red leather edges and corners. The spine has gold rectangles, with the topmost one containing the Royal cipher of Queen Elizabeth II, "E II R," surmounted by St Edward's Crown in gold. The next one is lettered "THE ROTZ ATLAS" in gold. The bottom one is lettered "1981" in gold.

Historical NoteThe Boke of Idrography, or The Rotz Atlas, was created by Jean Rotz and presented to Henry VIII in 1542. Rotz was a member of the Dieppe school of cartographers and probably was part of Jean Parmentier's expedition from Dieppe to Sumatra 1529-1530, and in 1539 he travelled to Guinea and Brazil.
The original atlas is now in the British Library. This edition of the Rotz Atlas was created by the British Library for presentation to the Roxburghe Club in 1981, by Helen Wallis OBE, the Map Curator at the Library, with a foreword written by Viscount Eccles, a member of the Club.
This copy was signed by Queen Elizabeth II. It was given during a visit to England June 7, 1982. President Reagan wrote to Her Majesty and said, "The. silver-framed photographs and the Tudor atlas from the Royal Library at Windsor will also take a place among our most treasured mementos"
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Foreign Officials (National Archives Identifier 6816364)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Country/CultureEnglandUnited Kingdom
In Collection(s)
Exhibition HistoryRonald Reagan Presidential Library (2003-2010); A Special Relationship: The Windsors and the Reagans (1995), Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Related LinksAdditional Reagan Library archival holdings available at: WHORM Subject File Code: TR039-03 (Trips: London, England, 06/07/1982-06/09/1982) Case file Number(s): 085955