In a world with Google Maps and Waze navigation, paper maps have gone the way of the dinosaurs for most people. In the 18th century, however, maps were a vital and coveted item, particularly for merchants. While made for navigation, cartography became an artform as evidenced by the fine detail in the cartouches and depictions of animals and landmarks. Those displayed in the video above were produced in Armenian by the Mekhitarist Order in the 18th century. Watch as Collection Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses trade, maps, and the role of geopolitics in the creation of new maps.