Hugh,

Did you get the map through interlibrary loan? I think that was from my
library. Jovanka - our reference librarian -  just brought me a map of
Artesia - black and white - and said it was recently requested via ILL.
We don't let all our maps out through ILL but instead make photocopies
to deliver to the patron. Is that what you received?

Some Thomas Bros. maps do have codes in the lower margins. The map we
sent off of Artesia, California has a tiny little code "641" in the
lower left corner and our cataloger interpreted that as 1946. She was
quite detail oriented and researched streets, businesses mentioned in
advertisements, etc. So, if the code is a clue to the date (and not some
top secret publishing code) the first 6 means the year the map was
produced with any updates and maybe the 41 indicates the date of the
original version or 41 could mean April 1st - or something like that.

This particular map was received by the AGS of NY in 1949 - but again,
our cataloger decided the date was 46 based on her research and
knowledge of other similar maps (we have two other Thom. Bros. maps of
Bellville from the 40's and 50's as well as others from that area and
the same dates). In the catalog record - the date is in brackets with a
question mark indicating some degree of uncertainty.

There is a lot of information out there about these road map date codes.
See http://www.waml.org/datecode.html for more information. Give us (at
the AGSL) a call if you want to discuss this further.

Angie

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Angie Cope, Senior Academic Librarian
American Geographical Society Library
UW Milwaukee Libraries
2311 E. Hartford Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201

http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/AGSL/index.html
Hours: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
[log in to unmask]
(414)229-6282 / (800)558-8993 (US TOLL FREE) / (414)229-3624 (FAX)

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[log in to unmask] wrote:
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject:     Seeking Thomas Brothers Archives
> Date:     Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:55:22 -0700
> From:     Hugh T Hoskins <[log in to unmask]>
> To:     [log in to unmask]
>
>
> Hello:
>
> The Downey (California) Historical Society has been given an old
> (c.1937) Thomas Brothers map of our City, and I am hoping to learn its
> date by locating their archives and hopefully an index.
>
> When Rand McNally bought Thomas Brothers Maps, then the old Thomas
> Brothers archives seemed to have disappeared.
> Separate contacts with RandMcNally, variously told me that the
> archives were given (1) to The Newberry in Chicago and (2) to the UCLA
> Geography Dept in LosAngeles.
> BOTH of those have extensive map holdings but say that they do not
> have and never have had any such archives. It seem impossible that
> such a body of work would have been allowed to disappear.
>
> Would appreciate any additional leads that any of you might be able to
> offer, from your field of expertise.
>
> Thanks,, /s/ Hugh
>
>
>