Manhattan Pictorial Map - Vintage 1939 New York City Map

Discover Manhattan's Golden Age

Step into the vibrant heart of New York City with this extraordinary Pictorial Map of That Portion of New York City Known as Manhattan, designed and drawn by Ernest Dudley Chase in 1939. This remarkable illustrated map captures Manhattan at the height of its prewar grandeur, when the city stood as the undisputed capital of commerce, culture, and energy. Every street, building, and landmark reflects a metropolis that had become the beating heart of modern America, rendered with artistic precision and boundless imagination.

Historical Significance

Created in 1939, this map documents New York at a pivotal moment in its history—the end of the Great Depression and the dawn of the World's Fair era. Chase's pictorial masterpiece captures Manhattan when its skyline had already become an icon of American achievement, with the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center defining a new architectural language. This was New York preparing to host the 1939 World's Fair, a vision of optimism that matched Chase's artistic tone, presenting the city as both a living museum of progress and a promise of the future.

Cartographic Excellence

Ernest Dudley Chase's signature pictorial style transforms Manhattan into both precise geography and living art. Every block pulses with detail—skyscrapers pierce the skyline, bridges stretch majestically across the East and Hudson Rivers, and Central Park forms a calm, green heart amid the steel and stone. The surrounding vignettes showcase the city's architectural treasures with affection and precision, while the decorative border and compass rose elevate the piece beyond cartography into a celebration of urban grandeur.

Urban Legacy Story

This map stands as a portrait of Manhattan's cultural zenith, capturing the city's essence through intricate linework and careful composition. Chase's warm and humorous approach brings daily life to the streets—ships navigating the harbor, crowds filling Times Square, and trains racing across bridges. Each illustrated scene is a snapshot of a city constantly in motion, united by movement and aspiration. The inclusion of parts of the Bronx further expands the story, showing a New York that was not just vertical but vast.

A Vision of American Metropolis

Beyond its artistic beauty, this map represents the culmination of Manhattan's transformation into the world's most dynamic urban center. The careful rendering of architectural landmarks and street patterns reflects a city that had mastered the balance between human scale and monumental ambition. The decorative elements and pictorial vignettes show a metropolis that succeeded by combining serious purpose with cultural vitality, creating an urban environment that inspired both residents and visitors from around the world.

A Piece of New York History

Each restored reproduction of this 1939 map is printed with museum-quality precision on heavyweight archival paper or hand-stretched premium canvas to preserve every original detail. Your purchase includes two companion documents:

Certificate of Authenticity verifying its restoration and reproduction quality

Historical Story Page detailing the origins, craftsmanship, and cultural significance of Chase's iconic pictorial map

Paper prints arrive rolled in reinforced mailing tubes for protection. Canvas prints come gallery-wrapped on solid pine stretcher bars with pre-installed hardware, ready to display upon arrival.

Bring home a vivid piece of New York history—a timeless record of Manhattan's golden age when the city stood as the world's capital of commerce, culture, and boundless energy.

This remarkable Pictorial Map of That Portion of New York City Known as Manhattan, designed and drawn by Ernest Dudley Chase in 1939, captures New York at the height of its prewar grandeur. Combining artistry with precise geography, Chase's creation transforms the island into both a city and a symbol—the beating heart of modern America rendered in ink and imagination. Viewed through Chase's signature pictorial style, Manhattan unfolds as a living museum of architecture and ambition. Every block is alive with detail: skyscrapers pierce the skyline, bridges stretch across the East and Hudson Rivers, and Central Park forms a calm, green heart amid the steel and stone. Surrounding the main image, vignettes showcase the city's landmarks—Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, and the Statue of Liberty—all drawn with affection and precision. The border decorations and compass rose elevate the piece beyond cartography into art. Each flourish reminds the viewer that this is more than a guide; it is a celebration of a metropolis that had already become the world's capital of commerce, culture, and energy.

Archival-Grade Paper: Your map is printed on thick, acid‑free paper designed to resist yellowing and fading. The high‑resolution printing process captures every detail, ensuring a crisp, vibrant image that lasts for generations. Hand‑Stretched Canvas: If you choose canvas, we use a premium cotton‑poly blend stretched over solid pine frames. Each canvas is carefully hand‑stretched for a tight, gallery‑quality finish that's ready to hang right out of the box. Vivid, Fade‑Resistant Inks: We use professional‑grade inks that are UV‑resistant, so your print retains its rich colors even when displayed in bright rooms. Expert Restoration: Every map is digitally restored by skilled artisans. We preserve the character of the original while enhancing clarity, so you see the map as it was meant to be seen. Secure Packaging: Paper prints are rolled in heavy‑duty mailing tubes, and canvases are cushioned in reinforced boxes to ensure they arrive in pristine condition. Choosing one of our prints means investing in craftsmanship. We combine historical authenticity with modern print technology and premium materials, giving you a work of art built to stand the test of time.