Catalog Archive
Auction 124, Lot 211

"The Commercial Pictorial and Tourist Map of San Francisco",

Subject: California, San Francisco

Period: 1904 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
38 x 23 inches
96.5 x 58.4 cm
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The title continues "in Colors and Illustrated with litho-engraved Pictures of all Public Buildings, Parks, Monuments and Recommended Business Houses." This beautiful and colorful pocket map was published just two years before the Great Earthquake of 1906. On the two dimensional city plan are many architectural vignettes rendered in perspective, detailing some of the important buildings in the city; many of which were lost in the fires in the aftermath of the earthquake. Of note is the Cliff House, the U.S. Mint, City Hall, the S.F. Examiner building, Wells Fargo, the Institute of Art and the huge Ferry Building. The north shore of the city has extensions of the streets drawn over the water, with the notation that the little bays on either side of Fort Mason were 'being filled'. The large Presidio Military Reservation takes up the northwest portion of the city, and the Golden Gate Park is beautifully delineated showing all the important buildings, including the Conservatory of Flowers, the North Windmill, the Museum and more. Elevation is shown via contour lines. Available newspapers are helpfully listed near the bottom. Published by Aug. Chevalier, it is bound in burgundy paper covers with gilt stamped titling (5" x 7.5"). The 32-page booklet contains much information useful to the tourist including 15 images: San Francisco at Night, from the Bay; Water Front, showing Telegraph Hill (with many tall ships); Panorama of City from Nob Hill, to name a few. The original price sticker of 25 cents is still on the back cover.

References:

Condition: A+

The map is in excellent condition, with only a couple tiny fold separations. The booklet binding is near fine with some minor wear.

Estimate: $500 - $600

Sold for: $475

Closed on 5/7/2008

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