New Deal-Era Persuasive Map Showing PWA's Projects Across the U.S.

"PWA Rebuilds the Nation",

This rare New Deal-era pictorial map was prepared by the Division of Information - Federal Public Works Administration, with cartography credited to Earl Purdy. The map highlights the achievements of the Public Works Administration through illustrations of their various projects across the American landscape. Prominent examples include the Boulder Dam, the All-American Canal, improvements on the Washington Monument, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, in addition to various schools, bridges, hospitals, and municipal buildings. The map is surrounded by 38 vignettes of other PWA projects, such as the Triborough Bridge, Williamsburg housing projects, the Oregon State Capitol, and the Georgia State Prison. In the corners and at bottom are idealized, elemental images of men working with stone, lumber, clay, and metals. A terrific persuasive map that demonstrates how the PWA "helped to create a stronger, better-equipped nation for all the people." Purdy (1892 - 1971) was a veteran of World War I and an artist and architect. His work was exhibited at the 1932 Olympics.

References: PJ Mode Collection #8548; Rumsey #3975.

Condition: B

A colorful example with light toning and soiling at left and right, a tiny tear in an unengraved area at left, and an extraneous crease in the right panel of vignettes. There are small chips and edge tears at left, with just a few tears that enter into the map border.