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This 1936 pictorial map of Manhattan, created by renowned illustrator George Annand, presents a captivating snapshot of New York City during the golden age of American pictorial mapping. The map adeptly manipulates the city's geography, distorting proportions to position the Waldorf Astoria as the central landmark of the metropolis.
The map comes to life in the period when pictorial maps were gaining prominence in America. During the 1930s, these imaginative and often whimsical representations served as popular tools for visual communication, catering to a public hungry for an escape from the harsh realities of the Great Depression. The map's creator, George Annand, transitioned from his work in advertisement for Nabisco to this burgeoning field of pictorial maps, gaining recognition for his exceptional cartographic skills and artistic flair.
The map underscores Annand's deftness in visual storytelling, morphing Manhattan's geography to spotlight the Waldorf Astoria, a symbol of luxury and prestige. The grand hotel appears perfectly situated at the heart of the city, with Central Park and the districts above it contracted, and Lower Manhattan extended. The map teems with vibrant details, featuring many places of interest such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Financial District, and Greenwich Village, complete with descriptions listed below the map.
On the verso, one finds a collection of photographs of New York City, accompanied by enlightening text that offers a multifaceted view of the city. This pictorial map stands as a testament to Annand's ability to encapsulate the essence of a city in a single image, as well as the growing popularity of pictorial maps in the 1930s. It not only provides a unique view of Manhattan but also offers insight into the social and cultural life of the city at that time.
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