Preliminary identification

Map of Ocean City, New Jersey and Adjacent Territory, July 1, 1926

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

This is a highly detailed, large-format municipal and subdivision map of Ocean City, New Jersey, and its surrounding coastal territories, dated July 1, 1926. It captures the rapid real estate expansion of the South Jersey Shore during the height of the Roaring Twenties, showcasing planned subdivisions, street grids, and coastal waterways.

Story

In July 1926, the Jersey Shore was experiencing an unprecedented real estate boom fueled by post-WWI prosperity and the rise of the automobile. This map was created not just for navigation, but as a blueprint for developers and investors eager to buy into the American dream of a seaside escape. It captures a fleeting moment of optimism just three years before the 1929 stock market crash halted such grand coastal expansions.

Maker / Origin

The map was compiled by W.I. Risley, a highly active civil engineer based in Atlantic City who laid out much of the region's early 20th-century infrastructure. It was published by the partnership of F.B. Dolph and J.A. Stewart, who were prominent regional mapmakers and publishers active in the Mid-Atlantic during the 1920s and 1930s, known for their precise plat and municipal maps.

Condition & Value

The map appears to be in good vintage condition with some visible rippling and light creasing consistent with being rolled or stored prior to framing. There is minor toning to the paper, which is natural for its age.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.