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New York Subway Guide. Massimo Vignelli/New York City Transit Authority 1972 map

New York Subway Guide. Massimo Vignelli/New York City Transit Authority 1972 map

Product SKU: P-6-108546

Price €333.20

New York Subway Guide [Manhattan close-up on cover] by Massimo Vignelli (1972). Vintage modernist urban rail network plan, 53.0 x 45.5cm, 20.75 x 17.75 inches; Please note that this is a folding map.
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CAPTION PRINTED BELOW PICTURE: New York Subway Guide [Manhattan close-up on cover]

An early 1972 printing of Massimo Vignelli's iconic New York Subway fold out pocket map. This is the first edition of the map, using the KK line designation, which was changed to K from the second printing. This is the variant of the map with the close-up of the Manhattan portion of the map on the cover. Created for the New York City Transit Authority by Vignelli at the Unimark International office, it was admired for the clarity of its aesthetic and regarded by designers as a modernist masterpiece. Influenced by pioneers like Harry Beck (London Underground), George Salomon, and Raleigh D’Adamo, Vignelli created a schematic that eschewed what he regarded as unnecessary detail, and which sought to emphasize clarity over geographic accuracy. However, his distortion of New York’s geography sparked heated debate. It left locals and tourists confused by its lack of street-level context and notable landmarks. Critics considered that it failed to bring simplicity and visual clarity to New York's complex and tangled web of Subway lines. One Chicago transit official derided it as "infamous regarding its utter uselessness to its intended audience", leading to its replacement in 1979 with a return to a more geographic map. Despite its short-lived use, the Vignelli map remains a instantly recognisable and enduring symbol of New York City and of modernist design.

DATE PRINTED: 1972    

IMAGE SIZE: Approx 53.0 x 45.5cm, 20.75 x 17.75 inches (Large); Please note that this is a folding map.

TYPE: Vintage modernist urban rail network plan

CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not obtrusive unless otherwise stated. We offer a no questions asked return policy.

AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic historic print, published at the date stated above. It is not a modern copy.

VERSO: The reverse (cover) side has a close-up of the Manhattan part of the map

FOLDING: This is a folding print.

ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Massimo Vignelli

PROVENANCE: New York City Transit Authority

Packing

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Returns

We accept returns for any reason if sent back to us within 14 days of receipt of your order. If any of your items are not as described, we will provide a full refund including reasonable return postage costs upon safe return to us. If you have changed your mind, you are responsible for the cost of returning the item to us. We describe the size, age and condition of all our products as fully and accurately as possible. Most of the items which we sell are in very good condition. However, the condition of antique and vintage prints and maps can vary. All of our product listings including a statement which classifies the condition as being either “Good”, “Fair”, or (rarely) “Poor” and which describes any material flaws, blemishes, imperfections or other significant features such as folds. Please read the description carefully before purchase.

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