"[Lot of 2] Great Circle Airways [and] One World One War - A Map Showing the Line-Up and the Strategic Stakes in This First Global War", Harrison, Richard Edes

This lot contains two maps by Richard Edes Harrison with his unusual “Air Age” cartographic projections. According to Hornsby, these maps “displayed geographical relations between continents more correctly and radically changed, according to Harrison, the way we ‘look at the world’.” Both maps were issued as supplements in Fortune Magazine.

A. Great Circle Airways, dated 1943 (24.0 x 19.8"). This map is presented on a polar gnomic projection and shows the shortest air routes between two points. For example, New York to San Francisco is 2.500 miles and San Francisco to Tokyo is 5,100 miles. Includes an inset and explanation table at bottom. Condition: Clean and bright. (A)

B. One World One War - A Map Showing the Line-Up and the Strategic Stakes in This First Global War, dated 1942 (26.1 x 21.3"). This striking wartime map was drawn on a north polar projection and "shows the entire northern hemisphere with relatively small linear distortion." A legend notes "The Line-Up" as of February 1, 1942 with color-coding revealing Allies (red), Neutrals (yellow), and the much smaller Axis powers (black). Red overprinting indicates the Allied Supply Routes and are shown as "great circles" as opposed to actual routes. Text and illustrations along the right panel explain the "strategic stakes" in dealing with two very different war scenarios in Europe and the Pacific. For a brief article on the significance of the map, click here. References: PJ Mode Collection #2137; Rumsey #8129. Condition: Minor toning along the folds with a short separation in the text at right that has been closed on verso with archival tape. (B+)

References: Hornsby (Picturing America) p. 226.

Condition:

Issued folding. See description above.