|
||
|
|
|
|
Mammoth Birdseye View of Los Angeles in 1909
Rare blue print example of this mammoth Birdseye View of Los Angeles, compiled by Worthington Gates, from the original artwork of Francis Lawrence.
Remarkable and highly detailed birdseye view of Los Angeles, published by the Birdseye View Publishing Company of Los Angeles. The view extends to Hollywood, Glendale and Pasadena in the distance, with Downtown Los Angeles in the foreground and the Los Angeles River as the Eastern Boundary. The detail of the view is extraordinary, providing both geographical locations and a profile view of a number of buildings in the Downtown area and even names on many of the buildings.
The map came in two sizes, a smaller version (about 3 feet wide) and this wall map version, nearly 5.5 feet wide. The two views are not identical -- there are a number of minor changes in the text. This smaller version is apparently the earlier of the two states of the view. As noted by Los Angeles Public Library Map Librarian Glen Creason:
The spectacular, century-old wall map below exists in myriad prints and is a perfect example of pure booster cartography. Danish artist Francis Lawrence drew this meticulous rendering of each and every building in the booming city. He spent 15 months pounding the mostly unpaved streets of L.A. to make sure his drawing was accurate, and he insisted that the map be large . . . so all the details would be visible.
The scope of this map is unusually large, ranging from the edges of East Los Angeles to the fledgling city of Hollywood, which peeks up from the foot of the mountains
This is the first time we have ever seen this blue print version of the example. It would appear to have been taken at an early date. We do not note any differences between the blue print example and the larger of example of the view.
Rarity
OCLC lists 3 copies (combined). We have previously offered an example of each.
Smaller edition: https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/65955 (sold in 2020)
Larger edition: https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/17811 (sold in 2010)
![Mexico [Texas on the Eve of Independence]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/84917.jpg)
![[ Early Automobile Tourism -- Pacific Coast Highways ] (Strip Maps, etc.)](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/81461.jpg)
![[Mission San Luis Rey] Vue de La Mission de Saint Louis Roi De France](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/71720.jpg)
![Parts of E. California and S. E. Nevada, N.W. Arizona and S.W. Utah __ Atlas Sheet No. 66 [Shows Las Vegas!]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/92030.jpg)