Stationery maps: a touch of flair

We at Moore Memorial Public Library are on a mission to curate the Mainland Company collection. The archive is substantial. 

Figure 3: “Map of Texas City rail lines and water ways”.

[Image] Moore Memorial Public Library

Processing these archived materials is as exciting as it is daunting. Each item is reviewed, cataloged, preserved and will later be digitized for online searchability. Depending on the archive, some collections may have just a few items and some may have hundreds. 

We are currently just beginning to scratch the surface of this project, as there are at least 15+ archival boxes to be analyzed!  To hazard a guess, there are at least a few hundred documents to be curated.  

Today, while standing in front of a sea of grey boxes, I wondered, “Where do I begin?”  Honestly, there’s got to be a song in there somewhere.

   

Figure1: “Letter to H.B. Moore February 24, 1911”.

(recto). [Image] Moore Memorial Public Library 

Amongst the litany of papers, vellum, letters, contracts and the like we spied a different but just as interesting goody in the collection:  maps and drawings on the back of the company’s letterhead!  Figure two highlights a drawing of the Texas City Transportation Company’s plan for rail and water terminals found on the back of the letter to H.B. Moore dated February 24, 1911 (see Figure 1). It was created by the Walker Lith. & Pub. Company (ca. 1909).  The Library of Congress has a few of their works and they can be found here: https://bit.ly/2Gc3JqH. When taking a closer look at Figure 2, one can see the different ships in the harbor down to the railroad cars on the track.  The drawing itself is very detailed and quite colorful.  

Figure 2: “Letter to H.B. Moore February 24, 1911”. 

 (verso). [Image] Moore Memorial Public Library

Similarly detailed, but not as ornate as Figure 3, is the map of the Texas City docks (see Figure 3). This map is more prevalent throughout the collection and details the shipping channels and train lines in and around Texas City. Two distinct ways to provide a visualization that has impact.  

In a world that is used to digital, these maps take us to bygone days; a time where written works had their own touch of flair.

Do you remember making a fuss over stationery? Let us know in the comments.