Bird’s Eye View of Mass, R.I. & Conn.

“A Comprehensive Map of the Waterways Traversed by Steamers of the Joy Line.”

This gorgeous bird’s-eye view, oriented with west at the top, presents a charming overview of the Atlantic Coast stretching from New York City up to Gloucester on Massachusetts’ Cape Ann. Long Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket are all beautifully rendered within the panoramic landscape. Railroad networks, delineated by crisp black lines, traverse the countryside to connect small coastal hamlets with major urban centers, capturing New England just before the dense concrete development of the modern Northeast Corridor.

The map was lithographed in Boston by George H. Walker & Company and copyrighted in 1905 by the Joy Steamship Company, whose maritime routes connecting New York, Providence, and Boston are prominently highlighted in bold red.

Founded in 1899, the Joy Line faced relentless, predatory competition from regional rail monopolies—most notably the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. The “New Haven” actively subsidized rival water lines and leveraged free passes to freeze the Joy Line out of the market. The aggressive corporate strategy succeeded: in December 1905, the New Haven officially absorbed its competitor. As a result, this vibrant promotional piece represents one of the final, independent gasps of a celebrated coastal steamship line.