[Map of Manhattan by the Hotel New Yorker]

Depression-era tourist map of Manhattan issued by the historic Hotel New Yorker.

This scarce pictorial map of Manhattan was issued in 1936 to promote the Hotel New Yorker, an iconic Art Deco building that opened in 1930 as the city’s largest hotel. The structure’s setback profile (yet to acquire its distinctive sign) towers over the rest of Midtown, making even the Empire State Building look small by comparison.

Elsewhere, a variety of interesting attractions and landmarks are accessible by the city’s various subway & elevated lines (transit consolidation would soon simplify this confusing system). New York’s various ethnic neighborhoods offer obvious appeal – Chinatown, the Ghetto, and Harlem all feature stereotypical vignettes that reflect racial prejudices. Also of interest are various shopping districts – Furniture, Silk Stocking, etc.

The map was copyrighted and published in 1936 by Latz Personal Prints, Inc., on behalf of the Hotel New Yorker. Olde English-style text on the verso indicates this example was personalized for a guest named Mr. Joseph Miller and offers recreational activities for the fall of that year. WorldCat notes one example (addressed to Dr. Elzea) at the New York Public Library. An eerily similar (an obvious competitor) pictorial map of Manhattan was also published in 1936 – illustrated by George Annand and issued by the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Sources: Geographicus (George Annand Edition);  OCLC# 976434296