1935 P.W.A. IN ACTION United States Pictorial Map PWA WPA New Deal Public Works

Date: 1935
Artist: C.H.W. (Unknown Artist, signed in initials C.H.W.)  
Size (in): 36.5” x 25”
Size (cm): 92.7 x 63.5
Condition: B+
Linen backed: Yes

This vintage original pictorial map poster was issued by President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal era Public Works Administration (PWA).   The PWA was a large-scale construction and public works agency of the United States government created with passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act in June 1933.  PWA was the agency through which large scale public works projects such as the building of dams, transportation infrastructure, flood control, rural electrification and other projects were initiated and managed with the goal of creating jobs and getting the American economy jumpstarted again during the darkest days of the Great Depression.      

This elaborate and colorful pictorial map shows the entirety of the continental United States with one or more colorful icons in each and every state highlighting PWA projects. Projects shown on the map include the TVA’s Wheeler and Wilson electric power dams in Northern Alabama, new student dorms for Texas Tech University, canal work in California’s Imperial Valley, a new courthouse building for Kalamazoo, Michigan, an Indian Agency hospital in Minnesota and lots more. The lower left margin indicates “Printed by U.S. Geological Survey”.     

This vintage original pictorial map poster has been professionally backed to linen with some expert touch up as needed including replacement to a small notch off margin on the top edge near the upper right corner and a repair to a tear of a few inches on the left margin, neither of which affect the image area or artwork.  The number “2” was written in blue pencil on the margin near the lower right corner and still shows slightly after being erased during the linen backing process.  The colors remain vibrant and the poster displays beautifully.  Overall condition is very good.