"Amsterdam",

This meticulously detailed bird's-eye plan of Amsterdam was designed by the German graphic artist Hermann Bollmann (1911-71). The "panoramakaart" features fine pictorial detail of the city's architecture, with certain important sites emphasized, including Amsterdam Centraal, Artis, Oude Kerk, the Royal Palace, and Rijksmuseum. The map is surrounded by a decorative border that incorporates the city seal and its motto, "Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig," in four languages. On the verso is a second plan of the city with information on transit. The maps are attached to a 45-page booklet (4.6 x 13.4") with illustrated covers and text on the city in Dutch, English, German, and French.

Bollmann specialized in bird's-eye views of major European cities, tracking their changes in the post-war era. He was an innovator in the field; after 1958, he used his own aircraft and a Volkswagen fitted with a camera to take pictures every 65 feet as references for his maps. Text from Amsterdam Tourist Association director J.N. Strijkers describes Bollmann's process and his achievement: "He spent months roaming along the towncanals, looking from rooftops; in the Waag Museum he stood for hours in admiration before the work of his great predecessor. Amsterdam is grateful to Hermann Bollmann for the glorious revival of a well-nigh forgotten art. Our countrymen as well as strangers will for many reasons wish to own this colourful map of a world-famous city!"

References: Rumsey #13056.

Condition: A

Map is issued folding with a couple short splits at fold intersections, minor wear along the folds, and a fold separation at bottom that just enters map border. There is light shelf wear along the edges of the booklet, and the text is lightly toned.