Urgent conservation is needed to stabilise the Kunyu Wanguo Quantu map’s fragile paper and pigments and prevent further deterioration. Without action, this globally significant work of cultural and geographical heritage is at risk. Saving it will protect a rare record of East Asian expertise and Chinese-European exchange, helping reframe cartographic history for research and for future generations to better understand our shared cultural heritage.

As stewards of the world’s largest private map collection, we'll ensure this rare map, one of only two that exist globally, is taken care of to the highest standards that exist within conservation today. Through our mission to advance the creation, interpretation and dissemination of geographical knowledge, we'll invite new scholarship on this important piece of history and create opportunities to share it with new audiences through interpretation, community programming and public engagement.