1909 Walker Bird's-Eye View Map of Portland Railroad System, Maine

A striking 1909 George Walker chromolithograph view of Portland, Maine, and the Portland Railroad System - really more of a combined streetcar, train, and trolley system. This view is the rarest and perhaps most beautiful of Walker's 'Trolley Wayfinder' views.

A Closer Look

Centered on Portland, the view embraces the Maine coast from Saco to Bath, and inland to include Sabago Lake. The view was issued to promote the Portland R.R. system and that companies likes are accordingly emphasized in red. An inset at left details routes south to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The areas to the south of Portland, including Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Cape Elizabeth, and South Portland are exceptionally detailed.

Portland R.R. Company

The Portland Railroad Company of Maine was a significant street railway operation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By 1909, it was part of the extensive trolley network that connected many towns and cities in New England. The company was notable for its operation in and around the Portland area, including links to nearby towns and popular local destinations. Like many trolley systems of that era, the Portland Railroad Company faced competition from automobiles and buses in the 20th century. By the 1930s, the rise of the automobile and the economic constraints of the Great Depression led to a decline in ridership and its eventual demise.

Walker's Wayfinder Views

This style of map, incorporating trolley lines with a bird's-eye view and stunning chromolithography, first appeared in 1904 with the issue of Walker's stunning Trolley Wayfinder Birds Eye View of Trolley Routes in New England (1904-lane- TrolleyRoutesNewEngland). The style became popular, with other similar maps following, including depictions of the New York area, Long Island, the Mid-Atlantic States, and the vicinity of Chicago. Most were published by Walker and embraced a similar style, color palette, and overall esthetic. In general, they were sold and passed out as souvenirs on the depicted trains, trolleys, and ferries.

Chromolithography

Chromolithography, sometimes called oleography, is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process involved using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Oftentimes, the process would start with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors were layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired product. Chromolithograph color could also be effectively blended for even more dramatic results. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it emerged as the dominant method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography produced made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda.

Publication History and Census

This view was produced and printed by George Walker Lithography of Boston in 1909. There is only one known edition. It is rare, with OCLC recognizing only two holdings: The Osher Map Library and the Southern Methodist University DeGolyer Library. No history on the private market.