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.

The Guardian recently announced that the British Library will display the Klencke Atlas in their new Magnificent Maps exhibit, and the public will finally get a glimpse of the book’s interior pages. The exhibit will focus on the artistry of maps through the ages, with the atlas as its centerpiece. “This is the first map exhibition of its type because, normally, when you think of maps you think of geography, or measurement or accuracy,” explains Peter Barber, the library’s head of map collections. “…The official credo is the only thing that counts about a map is that they are utilitarian objects not really meant for display and that is not the case.” The Magnificent Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art exhibition will run at the British Library from April 30 to September 19, 2010.

View more maps from Magnificent Maps exhibition