A stylish hand-colored 1940s map of New York City.
Norman’s Simplified Maps of New York City.
$475
1 in stock
Description
This fashionable double-sided map, published around 1940, offers a detailed view of one of the world’s most complex urban environments. It provides an intricate street layout of Manhattan, a comprehensive subway system diagram, and an inset map of the Financial District. The map’s clear typography, intuitive design, and color-coded details reflect the cartographic style of the period, emphasizing functionality and legibility.
On the front side, the largest section is a detailed street map of Manhattan, covering the entire borough from The Battery in the south to Harlem and the Bronx in the north. Every major avenue and cross street is meticulously labeled, with key landmarks such as Central Park, bridges, ferry terminals, and waterfront piers prominently displayed. To the left, an inset map of the New York City subway system showcases the city’s transit network at the time, still divided into its pre-consolidation divisions of IND (Independent Subway), BMT (Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit), and IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit). Subway stations are clearly marked, distinguishing between local and express stops, a crucial detail for efficient navigation. In the bottom left corner, a detailed inset of the Financial District offers a closer view of Lower Manhattan, listing the locations of major financial institutions, commercial hubs, and government buildings, which would have been invaluable to business travelers and city planners alike.
The reverse side presents a highly detailed map of Midtown Manhattan, focusing on the area between 23rd Street and 61st Street, home to some of the city’s most important commercial and entertainment landmarks. This section highlights major sites such as Times Square, Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center, and the Empire State Building, making it particularly useful for tourists and professionals navigating this bustling district. Alongside the map, an extensive directory provides a Manhattan Street Guide, listing key thoroughfares and their cross streets for quick reference. Additional sections outline points of interest, including major airports, beaches, museums, parks, churches, stadiums, and educational institutions, painting a broader picture of New York City’s cultural and infrastructural landscape in the postwar era.
Cartographer(s):
Norman Lawrence Garbush (1897–1972) was an American cartographer renowned for his detailed urban maps, particularly of New York City and Los Angeles. Born on March 7, 1897, in Stillwater Township, Washington, Minnesota, he was the son of Oscar August Garbush.
Garbush gained prominence for his “Norman’s Simplified Maps,” which provided comprehensive guides to major cities. His 1955 “Map of Mid-Town Manhattan” is a notable example, offering an information-packed depiction of the area from Madison Square Park to Central Park, highlighting major businesses and navigational aids.
In the 1960s, Garbush expanded his cartographic endeavors to the West Coast, producing maps of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. His detailed folding map of Los Angeles, distributed by the Western Publishing and Novelty Company, extended from Chatsworth to Long Beach and east to Mt. Wilson Observatory and Whittier, identifying various road types and points of interest.
Garbush’s work is characterized by its clarity and utility, serving as valuable resources for both residents and visitors navigating complex urban landscapes.
Condition Description
Bright, good condition. Wear along fold lines and minor chip in margins.
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