NARRATIVES FROM HISTORICAL MAPS AS TOLD BY RENOWNED LENSMAN PER-ANDRE HOFFMANN

Story by Carla Mortel-Baricaua Images

of Memories of the Orient

IT was a lazy Saturday morning at Ortigas Market that led me to discover a unique find—a treasure trove of historical maps. As I passed by, I vaguely noticed the Murillo Velarde Map of 1734 in front of me when this friendly fellow stepped up to point out its many pertinent details. It turns out he’s Per Andre Hoffmann, world famous and multiawarded photographer, known as the “magician of light,” but on that day, I got to know him more through his collection of antique maps and the stories that came with it.

His successful career as a photographer took him to over one hundred countries that also prompted him to build his fine collection. “A few decades ago I had the unique opportunity to purchase a bulk of historical maps; some of which were stunning and wonderfully hand colored and showed all corners of the world, all regions and countries. I have continued collecting until now, and I have focused on beautifully colored maps. I prefer regions, countries or cities close to my heart, my homelands Germany, Norway and the Philippines. I now have a humble collection of 16th/17th/18th/19th century maps of nearly all countries, regions and continents, the World, biblical and Celestial Star Maps, which are truly out of this world,” says Hoffmann.

As a collector, he cherishes his possessions as so much more than just artifacts to be put on display. As he says: “Historical Maps are a glimpse into the past, its history, culture, scientific achievements, zeitgeist and its implications on our lives. Regardless of where we call home, these insights into the past guide us to an understanding of how history has shaped us as we are— our ancestry and family history, race and ethnicity, language, culture and our life as it is today. The awareness of a multicultural, mutual history allows us to understand the self and develop not only a personal identity, but also a collective identity, a sense of homeland and belonging – the fundamental building blocks of a national identity and nation building...and ultimately a sense of belonging to a larger family –the human race.”