1892 Rand McNally Pocket Map of New York City (Manhattan)

An uncommon 1892 Map of New York City by Rand McNally and Company. The map covers all of Manhattan and the Bronx as well as parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester. An inset in the lower right quadrant focuses on the southern half of Manhattan below 60th street. The map includes further notations regarding important buildings, street car lines, ferry lines, and parks. Dated and copyrighted to Rand McNally and Company, Chicago, 1892. This is the second edition of this map, the first having been issued in 1891.

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

Good. Map exhibits some wear on original fold lines, especially at fold intersections, some of which exhibit slight loss. A couple of minor water stains here and there. Backed with archival tissue for stability.

References

Haskell, D., Manhattan Maps A Co-operative List, 1458.