This detailed map of New York City is one of the earliest to show the IRT subway line, which opened on October 27, 1904. Although published in 1903, Rand McNally & Co. had the foresight to include the subway lines on this map in anticipation of their opening. This map appeared in 1903 editions of Rand McNally & Co.'s Enlarged Business Atlas And Shippers' Guide, as well as in separately issued-folding maps, such as this example. Purple overprinting was used to show the new subway lines (here called a "Rapid Transit Tunnel"). However, not all of the lines would come to fruition by 1904, and several of the lines would initially be served by elevated trains, rather than subway trains. The subway extension to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn didn't open until May 1, 1908, and the extension north of 145th Street to Kingsbridge, as well as that of the White Plains Road to the Bronx Park were served by elevated trains.

The map also shows street car lines highlighted in red and delineates streets, parks, bridges, tunnels, ports, depots, and more. An inset at bottom right zooms in on Lower and Midtown Manhattan, and at left is an extensive list of depots, ferries, hotels, libraries, colleges, government buildings, office buildings, and "places of amusement" in the city. On verso is Rand, McNally & Co.'s Road Map of the New York and New Jersey Suburbs (24.3 x 25"), which distinguishes "good roads" from "ordinary roads" and also locates railroads and elevated railroads.

References: Rumsey #2844.018.

Condition: B+

A bright example, issued folding with some extraneous creasing in the image at top left and a few small spots. There are a few short tears along the edges of the sheet, and several chips along the right edge of the sheet, with no loss of image.