San Francisco Burned District
- Title:
- San Francisco Burned District
- Alternate Title:
- San Francisco Burned District
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Lee, William H.
- Date:
- 1906
- Posted Date:
- 2017-04-14
- ID Number:
- 1157.01
- File Name:
- PJM_1157_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1900 - 1919
- Subject:
- Disaster/Health/Environment
Unusual Graphics/Text - Measurement:
- 26 x 33. The small inset map is 8 x 5.5 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- A map of the area of San Francisco burned in the 1906 earthquake, with a overlay half-toned in red of the dramatic fire. The map appears to have been derived from one published in Leslie's Magazine shortly after the earthquake. See ID #1154, "Destruction of One of the Greatest Modern Cities" (1906). A comparison of these two images shows how the use of color and graphics can dramatically change the impact of a map. Despite the sensationalist impression conveyed by Lee's map, the text legend ("Plain Facts") emphasizes that "the beautiful Golden Gate city" has not been "entirely destroyed" and the "new San Francisco will be grander and more beautiful." See also ID #1155, "Ideal Picture and Map of San Francisco," 1906.
This map is tipped into the front of Searight's book, published by the publishers of the map, Laird & Lee. However, the map is mentioned nowhere in the book, nor does it appear in the lengthy "List of Illustrations" in the book. It appears that the map was added after publication, which explains why it is found only in a small number of copies.
For a deceptive map and more upbeat view of San Francisco’s prospects by the city’s business leaders, see ID #2368, “San Francisco the Imperishable”.
Red is often used to emphasize the significance of fire or other hazards. Examples in the collection include ID #1157, San Francisco Burned District (1906); ID #1399, Mayhem - Major Chemical Accidents/Incidents Reported 1986-92; ID #1393, [Nuclear] Accident (1984); ID #2155, Region of Rat-Bitten Babies (1988); ID #1401, Adirondack Areas Burned By Forest Fires During the Spring of 1903.
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Source:
- Searight, Frank Thompson. 1906. The Doomed City. A Thrilling Tale. Profusely Illustrated. Chicago: Laird & Lee.
- Repository:
- Private Collection of PJ Mode
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.