Antique Map of Pennsylvania The Keystone State by Ran McNally, 1899

Details

Description

Rand McNally devoted pages 74 and 75 of its 1899 indexed atlas to this antique map of Pennsylvania, a double-page … Read more Rand McNally devoted pages 74 and 75 of its 1899 indexed atlas to this antique map of Pennsylvania, a double-page county map carrying a key to more than 180 railroad companies and an inset of the rail junctions around Pittsburgh. The map runs from the short crescent of Lake Erie shoreline in the northwest corner across the ridge-and-valley folds of the Allegheny Mountains, printed in dense hachured relief running diagonally across the centre of the state, to the more open farming counties of the southeast around Harrisburg, Lancaster and Philadelphia. New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey are each named along the appropriate edge. The railroad key fills the upper margin in two dense columns, a reflection of Pennsylvania's position as the most heavily railroaded state in the union by the 1890s, its anthracite and bituminous coal traffic alone supporting dozens of short lines threading the mountain valleys. The small inset in the upper left enlarges the crowded junctions around Pittsburgh, and county lines throughout are printed in red over pale tints. A note along the foot cross-references the adjoining plates for New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. Behind the sheet stands one of the great names of American map publishing. William Rand opened a printing business in Chicago in the 1850s, Andrew McNally joined him, and by the 1890s Rand McNally was one of the leading map publishers in the United States, with a reputation built on railroad and commercial maps kept current from issue to issue. The sheet is a colour lithograph, the outline printed in black and every colour printed over it rather than applied by hand. Once framed, this antique map of Pennsylvania would suit a home or office in the state today, and it will appeal to collectors of American state maps and railroad history. The sheet is in good condition for its age, with light, even age toning, minor handling wear to the sheet edges and the original central fold as issued. Please review the images for further condition details. This is an original antique map, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less