quite stellar cartography

I love maps.  I was nearly giddy when invited to the rare map room on a tour of the Black Diamond library in Copenhagen (mentioning that you are a librarian on vacation touring libraries of the world opens all sorts of doors fun doors).  For Christmas, Shilpa and PeeDee gave me a beautiful hardbound modern (art) atlas of San Francisco, Infinite City, and it's going to be one of those reference-type works that I'll read from cover to cover. 

Today via the SFist, SFGate, and the SF Association of Realtors come two new SF maps of note:  First, the realtor people have redefined and renamed some of the boundaries to the patchwork of neighborhoods we call San Francisco.  You'll have to click through to the flash version on the SFAR web site to see the details.  Brock said it best: "Remember, in San Francisco you are your neighborhood. If your hood has changed, please adjust your personality accordingly."  Luckily for me, the realtors have changed the name they use to designate my neighborhood to the name we've all been using for decades anyway.  Apparently, Cole Valley wasn't always technically so. 

Even better though, is this awesome map of San Francisco, envisioned by artist Johnny O of BurritoJustice (my new favorite local blog).  Inspired by Kyle Sluder who depicted Seattle with waterways, BurritoJustice has meticulously refined (see his comments section) his map of The Islands of San Francisco. 

Originally posted in May of 2010, it's getting some new attention today.  Posters are now available on Zazzle for $11 to $25.  Total map porn.