1938 Richard Edes Harrison Map of Robert Moses' Works in New York City and Long Island

This 1938 Richard Edes Harrison map of New York City and Long Island focuses on the monumental works of the legendary and tempestuous Commissioner of Parks for New York City, Robert Moses.

A Closer Look

Harrison's text describes the map exceptionally well:

This map of New York City and Long Island, veined and freckled by Robert Moses' parks and parkways, shows the work he has done in his two pet bailiwicks (his supervisory powers extend to New York state parks). This is a due east view taken from a point about twenty miles above Newark.'

The colorful map thus reaches from eastern Staten Island and the Hudson River at the bottom, to distant Montauk Point at the top. To aid in the map's clarity, Harrison has kept the map simple and has identified its features clearly in the map's key. Roads, highways, and government reservations are marked, but the main focus is on the region's parks and parkways (completed or under construction.) Harrison's shrewd one, two, or three dot code indicates which of the parks were entirely Moses projects, which were reconditioned by him, and which were just retouched. 'Freckling' the map with green spots are minor parks.

Land Of Moses

Harrison's peppery title can be judged fair: Moses' impact on the region is apparent today in the number of his works still extant. Note, in particular, the Grand Central Parkway, the Interborough Parkway (later renamed after Jackie Robinson), and the Southern State Parkway. Note also Harrison's tart note at the southern dogleg of the Northern State Parkway near Mineola: 'Detour around protesting landowners.' He also notes roadways supplanted in the face of Moses' projects: 'Long Island Motor Parkway Opened 1908, a highway sensation; closed 1938, and outmoded relic.'

An Artistic Presentation

Harrison's background was more as an artist than a cartographer, and his flourish is given free rein here. The exaggerated curve of the globe is emphasized by the addition of latitude and longitude lines; Harrison has even pictured clouds casting their shadows over the map. Three compass rose serve to orient the least attentive reader. At the right of the map south of Jones Beach a seahorse adds a 'here be dragons' charm.

Publication History and Census

This map appeared in only one edition, in the June issue of Fortune Magazine. The separate map is neglected in institutional collections.