Dornbush, Adrian
1935

Public Works of Art Project brochure variant 2nd Edition map Coral Isle of Key West

Scarce Key West brochure with 2nd ed. pictorial map The Coral Isle of Key West

DESCRIPTION: Two scarce maps including a rare presumed 2nd. "The Coral Isle of Key West" Florida in a visitor's guide booklet simply titled "Key West" published by the Key West Administration after 1935. The booklet is a product of the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) during the New Deal that was succeeded by the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
"Public Works of Art Project artists from other parts of the country were brought in and put to work creating paintings, murals or public places, and other projects, such as tourist brochures and postcards." [1]

Dornbush pictorial map The Coral Isle of Key West.

Other FERA artists who contributed works to the brochure include Edward Bruce, Richard Sargeant, Avery Johnson, Klir Beck, and Richard Jansen.

The brochure includes a fine 9" x 6" pictorial map of Key West, Florida: "The Coral Isle of Key West" by artist Adrian Dornbush, 1935. Second edition. This map is most interesting in that it is an unrecorded substantial revision of Dornbush's original map of Key West. This edition contains numerous changes from the first edition including:
  • For the first time, an airport is noted in the location of Meacham Field, now Key West International Airport (EYW)
  • Seaplane ramps at Trumbull Point (labeled "Key West Airways") are replaced with ship docks.
  • Radio towers are now shown located at the island's west side near Duval Street.
The map was engraved on a "miraculous" scale and shows key landmarks such as Duval Street, the lighthouse, the Martello Towers, and the yacht basin.

At center of the brochure is an anonymous two-sheet "Map of the Lower Florida Keys or the Key West Archipelago" (18" x 6") containing a smaller inset map of the Caribbean region.

Printed by Orange Publishing Co. St. Cloud, Florida.

[1] https://keysarts.com/public_art/wpa.html

Adrian Dornbush (1900 - 1970)


Adrian Dornbush became involved in the Key West Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and in 1934 moved to the island to take over the role as director of the project, focusing his efforts on developing regional tourism [1].

The Key West program was deemed a tremendous success and is seen as the precursor to the national WPA art program that began in 1935. Dornbush instituted National Art Week in 1940-42. He eventually moved to Puerto Rico, where he died in 1970.

[1] https://artistsofoldflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/The-Artists-of-Old-Florida.pdf

CREATOR: Dornbush, Adrian

PUBLICATION DATE: 1935

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: Atlantic Ocean

CONDITION: Good.  General very light age-toning else clean and sharp.

COLORING: Process color.

ENGRAVER: 

SIZE: 9 " x 6 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 11

PRICE: $325

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