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Cape Cod. MURPHY, John F./ FEDERAL ENG. & PUB. CO. [Boston: dated 1905] Untitled view/ map of Cape Cod. 17 x 26 ¾ inches. Colored lithograph. Folding view, flattened; without covers; very slight fold wear, else a fine example. A rare, sweeping, aerial view emphasizing Cape Cod’s striking hook-like shape and inviting landscape. It was at once a promotional work that sought to lure travelers as well as provide them with a pictorial guide. The publication of views of this kind in the first decade of 20th century coincided with America’s increasingly prosperous middle classes being able to travel for vacations and recreation. Not surprisingly, this work was created on behalf of entities that served this growing market—the New York, New Haven and Hudson River Railroad, Fall River Line Steamers, and Rowes Wharf in Boston. Its maker, John F. Murphy, was a news agent affiliated with the above businesses, who appears to have been an early practitioner of the promotional arts. The view displays all of Cape Cod along with parts of the Elizabeth Islands and the northern end of Martha’s Vineyard, including Cottage City (Oak Bluffs) and Vineyard Haven. Although the Cape is shown here as thoroughly settled, it still is seen as retaining ample open spaces. Towns, roads and railroads are shown along with 39 lighthouses, light ships and life-saving stations, indicative of the Cape’s challenging waters. Garver, J. Surveying the Shore, pp. 190-91, pl. 86.
OCLC 953097480 (Harvard only).
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