The Main Line: A Historical Map
Pictorial Map, Suburban Philadelphia: 1943 Edition

This item is sold. It has been placed here in our online archives as a service for researchers and collectors.

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Hugh Robertson (artist)
Sally Jean (1930-2011) and Nancy Lee Robertson (writers)
The Main Line: A Historical Map of Ye Outlying Regions
Merion, Pennsylvania: 1943
Hand-colored print
22.75 x 29.25 inches, image including border
24 x 31.25 inches, overall
Sold, please inquire as to the availability of similar items.

Pictorial map depicting the geography, history and landmarks of the Main Line, the informal name for a group of western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The area takes its name from the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, constructed in the 19th century, which extended from the eastern city limits to Paoli. The map portrays the towns that strictly speaking comprise the Main Line as well as neighboring ones. Geographic information includes the rail line, counties, towns, major roads and landmarks. The major river of the area, the Schuylkill, is shown, along with some smaller streams. The rich history of the region, especially related to the Colonial era and the Revolutionary War, is indicated in numerous illustrations and captions, showing locations of important events and brief biographies of historical figures. General information is also included, such as the location of a Swedish community and the route that 19th century travelers heading to the western territories would take. There are whimsical pictures such as one captioned “The Ghost of Anthony Wayne still rides here on stormy nights.”

The cartouche is flanked by a pair of Native Americans from the Lenape tribe on one side and George Washington on the other. The compass indicator is created from the intersection of an arrow and a tomahawk with a rifle. Detailed drawings of historic buildings and historical personages form a border around the map. The offered map is the first edition, 1943. It was revised and reissued in a second edition in 1946; view the later edition here on our web site.

This map was evidently a family project: according to an obituary for Sarah (Sally) Jean Robertson appearing in 2011, Dr. R. Hugh Robertson was a Philadelphia surgeon and Nancy was her sister. Sally Jean was about 13 years old at the time of publication of the first edition.

Cartouche: “The Main Line: A Historical map of Ye Outlying Regions: Made for Your Enjoyment by Sally Jean & Nancy Lee Robertson & Drawn by Hugh Robertson During the Very Cold Winter of 1942-1943. Copyright 1943 -- Hugh Robertson -- 310 Winding Way, Merion, Pa.”

Reference:

"Sarah Jean Robertson Foster: Loved Quilting, Geneaology." 13 March 2011. Cape Cod Times. http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110313/OBITS02/103130337/0/COMM08&template=printart (1 March 2013).