"The Centennial Exhibition and the Pennsylvania Railroad", Rand McNally & Co.

This uncommon promotional booklet was produced by Rand McNally for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition and the Pennsylvania Railroad. It contains two fold-out maps, the first is the Map of Centennial Grounds and buildings, showing the depot and tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad (14"x 17") which is a detailed plan of the exhibition grounds with all buildings named. It shows a number of streets, the Pennsylvania RR Centennial Depot and Ticket office, and the Globe, Transcontinental and U.S. Hotels. On the verso is a highly detailed map of Philadelphia, Map of the Philadephia Shoing Lines and Depots of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The second fold-out map is General Map of the Pennsylvania Railroad and its Connections, which is a detailed railroad map (17" x 14") of the United States with the routes of the Pennsylvania Railroad highlighted and an inset map of the world. On the verso are superb views along the route, the fancy interior of various cars, and an elevation view of a full train with locomotive and several cars including the Pullman Parlor car and Pullman Drawing Room Sleeping Car. The booklet has some great illustrations as well as excursion rates, hotel rates and general information. Pictorial paper covers with the Liberty Bell and American Eagle on front and a terrific engraving of the impressive Centennial Depot of the back. Contents 52pp with original string binding. We've not seen another example of this issue.

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Condition: B

The first map is clean but has some roughness and an 1/8" hole where it is attached to the booklet, else is very good. The second map is very good. The front cover has a small part of the outside edge missing and archival tape re-enforcing of the spine. Internally it is very good.