Panoramic View of the West Bottoms (Small)

Panoramic View of the West Bottoms, Small
Panoramic View of the West Bottoms, Small, detail
Inventory
Collection Number: 
17200
Building: 
Current Location: 
Missouri Valley Room
Floor: 
5th
Object Description
Artist: 
Artist Dates: 
1840 -
Artist Nationality: 
German
Object Type: 
Details: 
This is a reproduction of a colored lithograph and pen and ink map of Kansas City's historic West Bottoms. The map is situated on an alphanumerical grid with a corresponding legend.
Framed: 
Yes
 - Glass
Length: 
25 3/4 inches
Width: 
1 inch
Height: 
19 inches
Description: 

This is a large "bird's eye" panoramic view of Kansas City's West Bottoms, namely the stockyards, packing, and wholesale houses. While being informational, the map also conveys the vitality of this district early in the city's history, as the West Bottoms were a confluence point of trade and commerce. Each street, building, and railroad track appears accounted for with minute detail and accuracy. Starting in the late 19th century, "Bird's eye" was a popular point of view to render cities despite air travel not being possible yet. Because of this, maps drawn from above were considered a novelty and high cartographic craft, especially considering the imagination in tune with devotion to detail required to create the scene.

Reproduce the Work in Library publications/publicity, including film or videotape: 
Yes
Make slides or videotapes for educational use: 
Yes
Permit the general public to photograph the work : 
Yes