1908
Maker: George H. Walker
Antique 1908 edition of the Walker's road map of Cape Cod and the Islands. This map includes Southeastern Massachusetts from New Bedford to Kingston, showing automobile roads, including today's Route 6A and 28, state roads, other roads, and railroads. Automobiles were quite new at this time and most of the existing roads were for horses and carriages. The bicycle boom of the late 1800s had resulted in the paving of some roads, but most were still dirt and probably rutted from carriage wheels, which is why early road maps usually indicated the better roads. The enthusiasm for automobiles sped up the paving of roads, but maps like this were necessary to identify the best roads to avoid damaging your new vehicle. The map was published by George Walker Co. as a folding map, backed on linen. Good antique condition with uneven toning resulting upper sheets being slightly darker, very mild spots/stains, minimal wear along the folds and fabric between sheets is in good condition although with some spots. Measures approx. 31 x 30 to the edges, and 27 x 29 inches to the neatline with Provincetown extending over the boundary (this invites some little jokes: Provincetown cannot be contained or restrained... they are thinking outside of the box... etc. Sorry, I couldn't help myself).
Genuine Antique Map from 1908
Item Number: CSMT400