Dynamika systematycznego wzrostu, nowoczesna przestrzeń intelektu, labirynt znaków, magia zaangażowanych w swoją pracę ludzi z pasją – to tylko kilka haseł, które przychodzą na myśl, kiedy chcemy przywołać nazwę Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego i 70 lat jej historii. Łódź przed dwoma wiekami powstawała z tradycji niejednorodnych, i podobnie powstawał – jako mozaika różnych treści intelektualnych – Uniwersytet Łódzki. The cartographic collection of The Library of Łódź University consists of over 24 thousand items, and was created relatively recently, i.e. after World War II. The maps selected after 1945 constitute the main part of the whole collection, which was gradually growing by means of purchase, gift exchange and legal deposit copies from publishers. However incomplete, considering the scope of publications, the collection includes numerous topographic maps of the areas of Poland in the XIX century, belonging to Prussia, Austria and Russia. The article mentions the most valuable maps from that period. Among the XIX century maps are those covering the region of Łódź. They are undoubtedly a valuable part of the national heritage. The collection plays a significant role in regional historical research. Furthermore, as a very rich source of knowledge, it serves a wide range of users, especially those who conduct studies into geographical environment.