DESCRIPTION: SOLD
Before Google Maps and Apple Maps there were Roller Maps. This boxed hand-held rotating roller map, copyright 1930, is stated to be 19 feet long x 2 3/4 inches high (1). The roll on this unusual roller road strip map traces the route of Highway 1 from Maine to Miami, Florida. In a heavy windowed cardboard box with two wooden spool handles for each axle. Based on an entry to the Catalog of Copyright Entries the item is dated to March, 1930. Apparently scarce.
Highway 1, also referred to as the Eastern Seaboard Highway, is a significant highway that runs along the East Coast of the United States. It stretches for almost 2,400 miles, from Maine to Florida. The highway passes through several major cities, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Miami. Highway 1 has a rich history, as it was originally established in the early 20th century as a network of small roads that connected coastal towns and cities.
Box has a circular steel disc attached to the back. The disc mostly likely was used to attach the roller map to a dashboard holder magnetically.
Similar in function to the metal-cased Rota-ray Map of New York at the David Rumsey Collection (2) but the cardboard roller map probably had much lower manufacturing cost than the Rota-ray roller map. Scarce. Only one copy found in WorldCat, at the Library of Congress. Oh, I just got it- rotary!
Produced by the National Highway Roller Map Company, Augusta, Georgia.
(1) https://www.davidrumsey.com/. Search term: "Rota Ray".
(2) Catalogue of Copyright Entries. Online. Google. New Series Volume 27, No. 1, 1930. page 588.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1930
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: N/A
CONDITION: Fair.
Box is solid but stained and dirty. Roller map turns easily both directions and is in good condition. No tears or holes, some occasional discoloration.
COLORING: None
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 228
" x
2 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION:
PRICE: $
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