The Klencke Atlas, a magnificent 350 year-old tome that boasts the title of the world’s largest book, will go on public display with its pages open for the first time, at the British Library. The book was given to King Charles II in 1660 by Dutch merchants, to commemorate his restoration to the British throne. It is approximately 6 ft. tall by 3 ft. wide, when closed, and contains 37 maps detailing the most comprehensive geographic and historical information of that era. The maps, printed from exquisitely engraved copper plates, were initially intended to be removed from the book and displayed on walls, hence the enormous size. Charles II kept the book intact, storing it in his cabinet of curiosities. King George III gave it to the British Museum 1828, as part of a large gift of geographic and topographic materials. It has since remained at the institution, out of public view.
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