Measuring 8 1/4 inch by 4 inch folded, this 1941 Washington DC and Vicinity road map is in the pictorial format and was put out by the Esso company in 1941. On the front it has the Esso logo and says Washington, D.C., with pictorial guide 1941. The middle shows a black and white photo of the United States Supreme Court Building. It has the caption: Outstanding among Washington's newer government buildings is the magnificent home of the United States Supreme Court. The bottom shows the words Standard Oil Company of New Jersey.
On the back of the folded map, it features information on Esso Marketers' Nation-Wide Credit Card Plan and shows by symobls the identification signs displayed at service stations and dealers of the various companies who will honor your Esso Credit Card: Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, Standard Oil Company of Louisiana, Standard Oil Company of Pennsylvania, Colonial Beacon Oil Company, Kesbec, Inc. The bottom sums up the whole purpose of this map: For YOUR greater convenience when you travel.
When unfolded, the map is 34 inches long x 23 3/4 inches wide. On the one side, it features a regular map with an insert of Historic Landmarks Of Alexandria. The outside features a map of Washington and vicinity with an insert titled Division of Washington - How to Drive in Washington. It also features what I think is the most interesting feature of the map: A Pictorial Guide to Points of Interest in Washington and Vicinity. 21 major tourist attractions are listed, with 2 listing having a colored picture. Of course, this is a map from 1941 so some attractions may not exist today while others still exist and are going strong. Here are highlights of the attractions shown:
Adams Memorial, Dept. of Agriculture, Fairfax Court House, Fall Church, Fort Stevens, Franciscan Monastery, Great Falls (with picture), Greenbelt, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Mount Vernon, National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Pierce Mill, Pohick Church, and Washington Natl. Airport.
Under the title Alexandrai one finds: Alexandrai-Washington Lodge of Masons, Carlyle House, Christ Church, Gadsby's Tavern, George Washington Masonic Natl. Monument, Presbyterian Meeting House, and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary
On the side with the details of Washington one finds a ver interesting index across the whole bottom of this side of the map. The title is: Visitor's Guide to Washington. The following are listed and described and cross-referenced to this map:
American Pharmaceutical Institute, American Red Cross, Aquarium, Archives Building, Arlington (with illustration), Army Medical Museum, Botanic Gardens, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Capitol, Cherry Trees, Cocoran Art Gallery, Embassies and Legations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Reserve Building (with illustration), Folger Shakespeare Library, Ford's Theater, Freer Art Gallery, Goverment Printing Office, Interior Department Building, Library of Congress, Lincoln Memorial, Memorial Continental Hall, National Academy of Sciences, National Gallery of Art, National Geographic Society, Pan American Union, Phillips Mem. Gallery, Post Office Department, Smithsonian Group (with illustration), Supreme Court, Washington Cathedral, Washington Chapel (Mormon), Washington Monument, White House, and Zoological Park.
There is also a Supplementary Index with another 75+ listings.
Best of all, this map is what is considered in the trade as "old new stock", which means that is was never distributed or circulated. It was found in an old trucking company's warehouse which has been out of business many years. So, condition wise, there is no damage dues to tears, rips etc. There is some minor discoloration to the original white paper, but since the map is now 66 years old, that is to be expected.
Buy now and use it as a reference and a piece of Washington D.C , American and Esso history. |
