1956 Amsterdam
By: Herman Bollman
Date: 1956 (published) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 26 x 33 inches (66 x 84 cm)
This map of Amsterdam is a striking and intricate work, offering a unique bird's-eye view of the city as it was in the mid-twentieth century. It is a two-sided map, with the front side vividly illustrating the cityscape in a richly detailed and colorful style, while the verso presents a more conventional black-and-white topographical map with added details.
The map presents a vibrant and meticulously detailed bird's-eye view of Amsterdam. The city’s iconic canal system, with its concentric rings, is prominently displayed, highlighting the urban layout that has defined the city for centuries. Every building, street, and canal is rendered with careful precision, capturing the architectural diversity and the urban density of Amsterdam. Notably, important landmarks such as churches, government buildings, and the central railway station are drawn to scale, giving the map a three-dimensional feel that allows viewers to grasp the city’s layout and structure in a visually engaging way.
This side of the map reflects the influence of Hermann Bollmann, a cartographer known for his pioneering techniques in the detailed depiction of cities. Bollmann's work often involved creating highly accurate and artistically rendered city views, reflecting the post-World War II urbanization and modernization. The artistic style used here, with its emphasis on detail and realism, is a testament to Bollmann’s influence on mid-century cartography.
The verso by contrast, is a more traditional topographical representation of Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. It is rendered in a black-and-white color scheme with green accents, providing a clear and functional view of the city's geography. This side includes extensive detail on the city’s layout, including streets, parks, and waterways, as well as industrial and residential zones. The map also features a legend and an index that lists key locations and landmarks, aiding in navigation and providing a comprehensive understanding of Amsterdam's urban landscape during this period.
This dual-sided map not only serves as a functional tool for navigation and city planning but also as an artistic representation of Amsterdam, capturing both its historical charm and its modern development in the mid-20th century. The foldable design, paired with pictorial covers, makes it a compact and portable piece of art and utility, reflecting the era's focus on both aesthetic appeal and practical use in cartography.
Condition: Map is in A condition, issued folded with some slight ware to the booklet. At the request of the buyer, the map can be removed and flattened or linen backed for an additional cost.
Inventory #12821
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