Need help finding book!

[Peter]

I am trying to remember a very obscure book I read a number of years ago. It was a fantasy based book that had no real storyline. Instead, the entire book focused on a gnome that simply described the fantasy world it was set in. It was like the gnome was a cartographer of a fantastic world. The illustrations were few inside, but stunningly done and beautiful. The one I remember was a picture of the gnome, with his long white beard, sitting at a table. On the table was a crystal-like ball. The cover my copy had was brown with a fake scroll cover. This book was very obscure, but if anyone can tell me the title I would be very grateful (and impressed!). Thanks.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

This is not a Librarians Group issue, but one for the What's The Name of That Book??? group. Closing thread.