1927 Pictorial Map of the Trans-Atlantic Cables Operated by Western Union

This is a c. 1927 map of trans-Atlantic cables operated by Western Union, a striking piece promoting the advance of communication technology. The colorful map highlights cables between Europe, North America, and South America, reinforcing the wonders of modem communication.

A Closer Look

Centered over the Atlantic Ocean, the map depicts from the Pacific coast to eastern Europe and central Africa. Red lines highlight telegraph cables across the Atlantic between Europe and North America, connecting Newfoundland with Ireland, England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Cables to Portugal, Spain, and Italy stop in the Azores before traversing the Atlantic to Newfoundland or New York City. Cables run south from New York City or Florida to the Caribbean and then south to South America, where they leap from city to city. Overland cables appear in the United States, Europe, and South America.

A Topographic Map

While the cable network is meant to be the main focal point, the pictorial topographic map of the floor of the Atlantic Ocean will hold the viewer's attention. The Telegraph Plateau between Europe and Newfoundland stands out due to its role in the telegraph network. However, the dark, deep sections (many of which are named) will invoke awe and curiosity. The Nares Deep, for example, is noted as 27,972 feet deep, and a cable runs near this location at a depth of 21,540 feet.

The Surround

Four printed photographs and a few text 'bubbles' occupy the left and right borders. The photographs illustrate how undersea cables are laid, with the text 'bubbles' providing facts about the deep sea. While technically not part of the surround, an inset in the lower left features a photograph of the Western Union building in New York City.

Dating This Piece

While no publication information is provided, we have given this piece a c. 1927 date based on the information provided in the upper left. The text in this 'bubble' reads, 'The known variation in the level of the earth's crust, from the greatest height above sea level to the greatest depth below, is 63,351 feet or approximately 12 miles'. This measurement was calculated by combining the deepest sounding recorded up to that time (1927, by the Germany Navy Department) and the height of Mount Everest. Thus, this map cannot date from before the German cruiser Emden reported that sounding in May 1927.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by an unknown artist and published by an unknown publisher. The only publication information provided is that it was printed in England ('Imprimé en Angleterre' in the lower right corner). This is the only known cataloged example.