|
||
|
|
|
|
Jim Crow-era pictorial map of Atlanta, prepared for famed Atlanta Restaurant Mammy's Shanty.
The emphasis on military locations around Atlanta suggests that the map was likely prepared toward the end of World War II.
The map combines traditional pictorial mapmaking elements, such as illustrations of local landmarks and economic activity, with the use of the offensive caricature of "mammy," and several confederate flags, one of which is a portion of the compass rose. "Wren's Nest Home of Uncle Remus" is also shown, a reference to the home of Joel Chandler Harris, editor of the Atlanta Constitution and author of the Uncle Remus Tales, from 1881 until his death in 1908.
Mammy's Shanty Restaurant was open from approximately 1929 to January 1973. A WBS-TV Atlanta New video commemorating its closing can be found here: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/ugabma_wsbn_wsbn65039. The Atlanta US Naval Air Station referenced on the map was opened in 1941, but officially named as a US Naval Air Station in January 1943.
The map also shows the Baseball Field which was the home of the Atlanta Crackers from 1902 to 1965.
While we can find no evidence that he came to America or did similar work, the signature on the map is very similar to that of well known poster artist Fred Taylor (1875-1963), who was best known as an artist who created British railway company travel posters. . A National Railway Museum publication notes as follows:
Born in London, he studied at Goldsmith's College and worked at the Waring and Gillow Studio. In 1930 he was commissioned to design four ceiling paintings for the Underwriting Room at Lloyd's and murals for Reed's Lacquer Room. He worked in naval camouflage during the Second World War. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and other galleries in London, and worked for the Empire Marketing Board, LNER, London Transport and several shopping companies.
Rarity
The map is apparently very rare. This is the first example we have seen for sale.
![[Placerville, California]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/63008.jpg)
