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Map, Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Pictorial, Crawford Press, Vintage Print, 1936

Cape Cod
Crawford Press, South Weymouth, Massachusetts: 1936
Color process print
15.25 x 15.75 inches, ruled border
17.5 x 17.75 inches, overall
$1,200

A 1936 pictorial map of Cape Cod apparently intended to promote Cape Cod as a tourist destination, with roads shown and numbered for navigation. It showcases Cape Cod’s towns and coastal features from Plymouth to Provincetown and south to Falmouth and Chatham. With a focus on maritime history, it identifies various boats associated with Cape Cod in silhouetted profile. Six traditional square mast sailing vessels are shown in an inset in the center of the map: Galleon, Frigate, Barkentine, Coasting Schooner, Bark, and Brig. An inset section in the lower portion shows “Pleasure Craft of the Present Day,” namely Sloop, Knockabout, Catboat, Yawl, Flat Bottom Sail Boat, Kayak, and Canoe.  The waters are decorated with the Cape Cod sea serpent, seahorses, a mermaid, and a whale. The map is rendered in two tones of light green, black, and white. The map is fairly uncommon, noting a few prominent institutional holdings.

Product description continues below.

Description

In the upper left corner, a mythological sea-drenched figure of Neptune holds the scrolled cartouche of the map, with a a narrative emphasizing the region’s unique attributes:

Cape Cod is unique and rich in historical lore. Nowhere in the world can be found fifteen towns comprising one hundred and forty-three homelike villages with such qualifications. Facing four salt seas. Five hundred and eighty-six miles of shore line. Three hundred and six miles of beaches. Enclosing two hundred and seventy-seven beautiful natural lakes. Over 2000 miles of hard surfaced roads invite the motorist.

An inset scroll titled “Cape Cod Calls” further extols the virtues of the region as a vacation destination:

Cape Cod has much to offer, with its glorious natural advantages of sea and shore. And this season ALL of the Cape — every one of its fifteen towns [enclosing 143 villages) plans to unite in a vigorous Greater Cape Cod movement to bring the world to its hospitable doors. Through its Chambers of Commerce Boards of Trade and Hotel Mens Associations, Cape Cod.the vacation land of a nation, cordially welcomes you.

Condition: Generally very good with only light overall toning, wear, handling.

Additional information

Century

20th Century