21st Century Maps Inspired by Library Company Collections

Down by the River Wards Map by Mark Adams and Jason Killinger of Eyes Habit available at: http://www.eyeshabit.com/riverwardsmap.html

We were recently visited by Mark Adams and Jason Killinger of Eyes Habit, who were interested in viewing our map collections to gather inspirations for a map they were creating focusing on Philadelphia’s river wards.  In their words, “Topography is one area of interest, and this was our take on a neighborhood that we find very intriguing, both currently and historically. Simply put, it was an exercise in organizing data that we find to be valuable in an aesthetically pleasing way.”  Above is the map they ended up producing for Eyes Habit, their design collaborative, where they have applied their design skills as well as their screen printing abilities to produce a beautiful three-color map.

Philadelphia in 1886 (Philadelphia: Burk & McFetridge, 1885).

Maps viewed by Adams and Killinger during their visit included the above 1885 bird’s eye view map of Philadelphia, showing Philadelphia’s vertical landscape portrayed on a traditional map, with a richly illustrated border depicting the storefronts of businesses that most likely paid advertising fees to be included. Created before aerial photography, other than from hot air balloons, it is fascinating to imagine how they might have constructed this bird’s eye view. 

Those interested can purchase Eyes Habit’s limited edition screen-printed map by visiting here: http://www.eyeshabit.com/riverwardsmap.html

The next Eyes Habit map, focusing on South Philadelphia, will debut at South Philly’s 7th Annual Car Show & Street Festival to be held on Sunday, July 29, from noon to 5pm.  More information on the festival can be found on the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District’s Web site: http://www.visiteastpassyunk.com/events.htm

Nicole Joniec
Print Department Assistant & Digital Collections Manager