1925 Rand McNally Map of Florida

Possibly the finest map of Florida of its era.

This is an extremely scarce and monumentally proportioned c. 1925 large format map of Florida by Rand McNally and Company. The state of Florida is presented on a massive scale with extraordinary detail throughout noting towns, cities, rivers, electric lines, railways, coastal details and a host of additional topographical features. Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, Biscayne Bay and Tampa Bay are identified. An index of counties, cities and towns is included in the lower left quadrant of the map. The map delineates survey grids and plats referencing the work of the U.S. Land Survey. Rand McNally and Company of Chicago drafted and issued this map in 1825. Despite relatively late issue, this map is nonetheless very scarce with minimal instructional and private representation.

Cartographer

Rand, McNally and Co. (fl. 1856 - present) is an American publisher of maps, atlases and globes. The company was founded in 1856 when William H. Rand, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, opened a print shop in Chicago. Rand hired the recent Irish immigrant Andrew McNally to assist in the shop giving him a wage of 9 USD per week. The duo landed several important contracts, including the Tribune's (later renamed the Chicago Tribune) printing operation. In 1872, Rand McNally produced its first map, a railroad guide, using a new cost effective printing technique known as wax process engraving. As Chicago developed as a railway hub, the Rand firm, now incorporated as Rand McNally, began producing a wide array of railroad maps and guides. Over time, the firm expanded into atlases, globes, educational material, and general literature. By embracing the wax engraving process, Rand McNally was able to dominate the map and atlas market, pushing more traditional American lithographic publishers like Colton, Johnson, and Mitchell out of business. Eventually Rand McNally opened an annex office in New York City headed by Caleb S. Hammond, whose name is today synonymous with maps and atlases, and who later started his own map company, C. S. Hammond & Co. Both firms remain in business.   Further Details...

Condition

Very good. Minor toning and wear along original fold lines. Some verso repair to the top left quadrant. Manuscript annotation in pencil here and there - could be erased. Backed with archival tissue for stability. Accompanied by original binder.

References

Newberry Library, map3C G3930 1925 .R3 (PrCt).