1950 Rand McNally Sinclair Oil City Plan or Map of Miami, Florida

City maps of Miami and Miami Beach.

This is a c. 1950 Rand McNally Sinclair Oil city plan or map of Miami, Florida. Printed on both sides of one sheet, the map on the verso depicts from Opa-Locka south to South Miami and from Miami Springs and Miami International Airport east to Biscayne Bay. Streets throughout are illustrated and labeled, with major thoroughfares shaded red. Churches, schools, parks, hospitals, airports, seaplane ports, and beacons are noted. A detailed street index surrounds the map on the left and bottom. An inset map of the Flagler-Tamiami Section occupies the map's lower right corner. Maps of Miami Beach and from Lake Worth to North Miami are printed on the e verso. The index is continued along the left side with indexes of buildings throughout the city, civic clubs, hospitals, parks and playgrounds, and colleges and universities, among others. Locations are numerically identified and could appear on any of the three maps printed on this sheet.

Publication History

This map was created by Rand McNally and published by Sinclair Oil c. 1950. We have been unable to locate any other cataloged examples.

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. Exhibits light wear along original fold lines. Verso repair to a fold separation. Maps of Miami Beach and Lake Worth to North Miami printed on verso.