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February 1929 edition of this early map of Phoenix, Arizona, published to promote the Lightning Delivery Company of Phoenix, Arizona.
This 1928 promotional map and text of Phoenix, Arizona, with cartography attributed to the Office of Wm. H. Becker, Civil Engineer, serves not only as a detailed cartographic representation of the city but also as an artifact of its urban development during a period of significant growth and transformation. The map is similar in format to the maps published by the Bekins Storage Company in California in early 20th Century, but much rarer.
The map prominently features the sponsorship of The Lightning Delivery Co. It includes detailed street names, railroad lines, and geographical markers. On the reverse, the map offers textual and pictorial information about local landmarks, statistical information, and promotional text, including the Roosevelt Dam and the legend of Camelback Mountain, which are supplemented with images and detailed narratives. These inclusions serve as a testament to the local pride and the natural beauty of the region, which were likely used to attract new residents and investors to the area.
The map’s dual function as a tool for orientation and a promotional piece illustrates the multifaceted approach to city planning and economic development in early 20th-century America. It reflects the optimistic spirit of the age, with a clear emphasis on modernization and growth, capturing Phoenix in a moment of transition from a mere regional center to a burgeoning metropolis.
Rarity
This is the first time we have seen this map for sale.
Varying states of the map were issued from about 1928 to 1936.
OCLC locates 2 copies of the 1928 and 2 copies of the 1929.
