Catalog Archive
Auction 184, Lot 280

Plans for Two Bridges Across the Potomac River

"[Lot of 2] [Report] Memorial Bridge Across the Potomac River, at Washington, D.C... [and] Map of Portions of District of Columbia and Virginia. In the Vicinity of the Proposed Highway Bridge Above Long Bridge",

Subject: Washington, D.C.

Period: 1900-01 (dated)

Publication:

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A. Memorial Bridge Across the Potomac River, at Washington, D.C. Letter from the Secretary of War, Transmitting … a Report on Designs for a Memorial Bridge Across the Potomac River, at Washington, D.C., by U.S. War Department, published 1900, black & white (5.7 x 9.0"). A competition was held for the Memorial Bridge design, and this disbound 68-page report details the winning design by William H. Burr. The design recommended did not receive Congressional approval (apparently a single Senator adamantly objected), and the project languished until 1925 when the current bridge design with a low profile was approved. The current Memorial Bridge was completed in 1932 with nine broad arches and is widely regarded as Washington’s most beautiful bridge. For the final design, click here. Included with the disbound report are nine large handsome folding illustrations of the proposed designs. Condition: Plates and text are near fine with a hint of toning.

B. Map of Portions of District of Columbia and Virginia. In the Vicinity of the Proposed Highway Bridge Above Long Bridge, from H.R. Doc #138, 57th Congress, 1st Session, published 1901, printed color (48.7 x 23.6"). This highly detailed map, drawn on a scale of 200' per inch, extends from Arlington Junction eastward to Maryland Avenue. It shows the planned Highway Bridge over the Potomac River, completed in 1906 and later replaced by the current 14th Street Bridge. Also shows the proposed Railroad Bridge just south of the Highway Bridge. Delineates the tracks of the WA. & Mt. V. R.R. and the Washington Southern Railroad. The existing Long Bridge just south of the two proposed bridges is well shown. The river is filled with a dense grid of soundings. Published by Norris Peters. Condition: There is a hint of toning along the folds, otherwise fine.

References:

Condition: A

Issued folding. See description above.

Estimate: $250 - $325

Sold for: $130

Closed on 9/15/2021

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