1935 Schruers Pictorial Map of Harvard University

A Harvard education consists of what you learn at Harvard while you are not studying. - J. B. Conant

This is Edwin J. Schruers' 1935 pictorial map of Harvard University and Radcliffe College, created to commemorate Harvard's 1936 Tercentenary.

A Closer Look

The map is oriented northeast and centered on the intersection of Boylston Street (now John F. Kennedy Street) and Massachusetts Avenue. It depicts the area from Radcliffe College to Dunster House and from Andover Hall across the Charles River to the Business School and the stadium. Wonderfully illustrated in a bird's-eye view style, buildings throughout campus are named, including Lowell House, Widener Library, the Fogg Museum of Art, Memorial Church, the University Museum, the Law School, and Langdell Hall. Streets around campus are also labeled. The armorial crests of various houses are situated in the upper right, and a version of Harvard's crest decorates the compass rose.

A view of Harvard College in 1726 is included in the upper left, along with a depiction of the statue of John Harvard in Harvard Yard. The seal of Radcliffe College is located at left center. Some whimsical and humorous elements appear, including those reminiscent of early modern maps (when Harvard was founded), such as the use of Latin for cardinal directions in the margins and a sea creature in the Charles River.

Publication History

This map was created by Edwin J. Schruers and published in 1935 to commemorate Harvard's 1936 Tercentenary. The present example is the third issue, identified as the Tercentenary Issue, suggesting it was printed in 1936.

Cartographer

Edwin J. Schruers (1903 - 1994) was an American artist whose best-known work is a pictorial map of Harvard University created to celebrate the university's tercentenary. It is likely that he also served as the scenic designer for the Broadway play On the Rocks. Schreurs also worked as an architect in California.   Further Details...

Condition

Average. Surface scuffing, with loss at top center. Multiple edge tears. Laid down on archival tissue. Priced accordingly.

References

Rumsey 8144.000. OCLC 5565930.