Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 268

"[Lot of 2] Map of the City of Washington Showing the Main Overhead Lines inside of the Fire Limits [and] … Principal Supply Mains; also the area supplied by Pumping",

Subject: District of Columbia

Period: 1898 (published)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
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Pair of thematic maps after the earlier Greene maps that were published to show the large-scale improvements in the infrastructure of the city. Each provides an interesting look into the capital's infrastructure at the end of the nineteenth century. They show streets, block numbers, parks, etc. and name major buildings.

1) This map uses bright overprinting color to show the lines of: U.S. Electric Lighting Co.; Postal Telegraph-Cable Co.; Western Union Telegraph Co.; Potomac Electric Power Co.; Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co.; lines of the U.S. Government and the District of Columbia. It also delineates railroads and fire limits. Table gives the width of all major streets. The proliferation of overhead lines posed aesthetic and safety problems. (28.5 x 28").

2) Map shows the early water main network. Overprinting is used to locate the areas supplied with pumped water and those with pressure under 20 pounds. (27.3 x 31.8") A nice pair of thematic maps.

References:

Condition: A+

Both are folding, as issued. A trace of color offsetting on overhead lines map (#1).

Estimate: $120 - $160

Sold for: $160

Closed on 12/3/2008

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