The Butterflies and Aliens Library of Literary Eccentricities and Rarities

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Star Trek Day 2021

Being the huge science fiction fans that we are here at the Butterflies & Aliens Library, we couldn’t let this day go by without at least some small post of recognition! So in honour of Star Trek Day, we wanted to share a peek into Star Trek Stellar Cartography: The Starfleet Reference Library / Maps from the Star Trek Universe.

Outside cover of the case for Star Trek Stellar Cartography by Larry Nemecek.

Published by Epic Ink in 2018, Stellar Cartography includes a beautiful hardbound book as well as ten large format maps, all enclosed within an equally beautiful case. It opens into a trifold portfolio with a ribboned compartment for the book and two envelopes for the maps.

Opening first the left…

…then the right.

The book itself is a beautiful blue hardcover with gold and silver embossed highlights, a simple but elegant design.

Cover of the Stellar Cartography book, lying on its storage compartment.

Inside are smaller versions of the maps accompanied by detailed descriptions and history behind each of the maps.

An interior detail of the Stellar Cartography book, the map of Known Space.

Then from within the two side pockets can be found ten large format maps, including maps of the Alpha and Beta Quadrant, the Cardassian Union, 4th century Vulcan, and the Klingon and Romulan Empires.

Image of the ten included maps, fanning out from their respective storage pockets and around the open book.

Each of the maps unfolds to a substantial 60 cm x 90 cm (or 2’ x 3’) size, suitable for framing and/or planning your next interstellar jaunt.

Map of the Alpha Quadrant, open for inspection and study.

We hope you had opportunity to re-explore some of the Star Trek universe for yourself on this fine day. Although a franchise that is native to moving pictures – we are currently loving its latest iterations… Picard, Star Trek: Discovery, and Star Trek: Lower Decks – its forays back into the more traditional and Earth-bound realm of books and print culture nonetheless demonstrate a similar drive to boldly go. And we are delighted to join in the adventure.

Live Long and Prosper!

– Winston