Amsterdam and the World serves as a starting point for research into historical and contemporary geographical and cultural connections. We distinguish the collection areas of cartography and geography, colonial and postcolonial history, and food history. The collections include objects from the 16th century to the present including maps that illustrate the international ambitions of the Netherlands and trade networks, as well as cookbooks that reflect the impact of colonial products in Amsterdam's kitchens. The material offers diverse perspectives on the influence of global developments on Dutch society and vice versa.
Collecting areas
The collection of maps and atlases comprises 175,000 map sheets and 5,000 atlases, with a focus on Dutch commercial cartography up to the 20th century. It offers unique opportunities for research into the role of cartography in national identity, the development of Amsterdam, colonialism and the accumulation of knowledge worldwide.
The collections of the Allard Pierson document diverse colonial perspectives, from explorers and mapmakers to colonial administrators and colonial as well as postcolonial writers. They include books, maps, archives and other objects that reflect the history of Dutch colonial rule, including Suriname and other Dutch colonies.
The Food History collection is the largest in the Netherlands and offers insight into cooking, eating and drinking from the 16th century to the present. With over 20,000 books, cookbooks, recipe manuscripts, menus and archives of chefs and authors, the collection covers both the Netherlands and areas of influence such as France, Suriname and the Dutch East Indies.
De letterkundige collecties focussen op beeldbepalende Nederlandse auteurs en bewegingen, van Vondel en de Muiderkring tot Reve en Grunber, met de nadruk op Amsterdam. Bijzonder is de aandacht voor vertaalpraktijken. Kenmerkend is de actieve rol van auteurs in opinievorming en maatschappelijk debat door de eeuwen heen.
