I'm looking for a good overhead street map of MANHATTAN circa 1931
(can be within a few years of that target). An aerial photo from the
same period could also be useful. They can be digital format but
should have legible markings (for street ID's, etc.).

Most important specific area is from 44th Street down to 32nd street,
and 8th avenue to Madison avenue.

I can adjust my price to accomodate any especially useful finds.

Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 Feb 2005 05:00 PST

Closest I can get so far is 1920 Manhattan:


http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/manhattan_lower_1920.jpg


Would that do it for you?


pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by johnruexp-ga on 11 Feb 2005 05:42 PST

In answer to the question of whether a map from 1920 will suffice:
Unfortunately, no. The period between 1920 and 1931 was a period of
enormous change in the area (not the least of which was the addition
of the Empire State Building).

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 Feb 2005 13:10 PST

If you head here:


http://www.20thcenturymaps.com/Beta/order.html


and search on "new york"


you'll get a list of NYC maps for sale, including a 1934 gas station
map for $15.95.


I noticed that eBay also has some vintage maps for sale, including a
very handsome-looking "bird's eye" view map of Manhattan, but it's a
bit earlier than 1931.


Might any of these maps for sale meet your needs?

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Clarification of Question by johnruexp-ga on 12 Feb 2005 04:49 PST

Further clarification for pafalafa-ga:

I've gone down the roads you suggested previous to posting here
(http://www.20thcenturymaps.com/Beta/order.html and ebay) but both
didn't pan out. Also the "20th Century Maps" web site sells maps
"sight unseen," which is not practical for me.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 19 Feb 2005 14:45 PST

I'm not sure if you've seen this, but in the comments (below) there is
a link to the map you're looking for:


http://www.brorson.com/maps/NYC/NYC1934/



I wish I could take the credit for finding this, but the kudos go to
sijan-ga, who -- since (s)he is not a Google Answers researcher --
can't collect the fee you offered.


Hope that's what you needed.

paf

I have a satellite photo from that time period. Will that be acceptable?

It depends upon the level of detail that can be seen.

And what sort of alien intervention got you access to an orbital
camera in the early 1930s? : )

Just checking !

Book available for sale at www.abebooks.com:

Lastest Map and Guide of New York: Four Maps in One - Street Map of
Manhattan; Subway and 'L' Map; Midtown; Financial Section
Geographia Map Co.

Price: US$ 30.00 [Convert Currency] 
Shipping: [Rates and Speeds] 
  
Book Description: Geoographia Map Co., Circa 1930. Very Good+ to Near
Fine. Includes four maps in one: 1. Street map of Manhattan with
transit lines and house numbers; 2. Subway and 'L' Map os Manhattan,
Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens; 3. Midtown Manhattan and 4. Financial
Section. Folded map measures 9 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches; unfolded, it is 37
1/2 inches tall and 24 1/2 inches wide; printed on both sides.
Bookseller Inventory #22438
http://www.abetitles1.com/Title/597427/Manhattan+in+Maps.html

"Looking for an old aerial photograph?"

(there is one of Manhattan in the 1930's on this site, I'm not sure if
this is the area you need)

http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/fs12796.html

http://www.onewal.com/ny1930.gif

An Insurance company printed a book in about 1950 which covered the
history of fire departments from about 1750 to 1950. Many maps were
included in the book which show the streets, buildings and points of
interest. Several "overlay" old and current streets. The title of the
book is "As You Pass By" if I remember it correctly. The book also has
a list of "old" street names with the location listed in relation to
current maps of 1950. Good luck.

An Insurance company printed a book in about 1950 which covered the
history of fire departments in New York City from about 1750 to 1950.
Many maps were included in the book which show the streets, buildings
and points of interest. Several "overlay" old and current streets. The
title of the book is "As You Pass By" if I remember it correctly. The
book also has a list of "old" street names with the location listed in
relation to current maps of 1950. Good luck.

Here is a map of NYC from 1934 - you can zoom in to look at specific areas:
http://www.brorson.com/maps/NYC/NYC1934/

This map in particular seems to cover the area you're interested in:
http://www.brorson.com/maps/NYC/NYC1934/LowerManhLevel2_1200_3164_4180.html

Let me know if this works.  I'm not sure how I can collect on this
since I'm not an official answerer...

that 1934 map linked above is a Rand McNally map