Spotted: Vignelli Map at 57th Street

Photos via Forgotten-NY and NIcholas Hall's flickr

In 1972, Italian designer Massimo Vignelli redesigned George Salomon's New York Subway map, which lasted until around 1979, when it was replaced by Michael Hertz's design. In 1999, Forgotten-NY discovered the old design in place at the 57th and 6th subway station; he wrote, "A mid-1970s Transit Authority map is still in place, albeit behind a modern map and shielded behind plexiglass!" Well, it's still there.

A tipster sent in this photograph of it taken on September 10th of this year. Of course, since 1999 the plexiglass has been covered in other posters and markings, all of which are slowly fading to reveal the Vignelli again.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on September 16, 2010 10:00 AM

Comments [rss]

Wza

Love it!

duckfeather

Awesome... made my day

John L

Nice!

They should preserve it and maybe move it to the Transit Museum or something before it gets completely ruined.

Spirit of 76

The Transit Museum has them already. They sell them for big bucks. I asked once and I think they told me it would be $50. For a map that was once given out free at token booths. Sheesh. I got one on eBay some years back for $10.

Spirit of 76

And, yes, I know I'm referring to the folded maps rather than the big ones in the stations.

John L

Really?

I have to look through my old things!

I'm sure that being a packrat is going to pay off for me someday.

Karl

I was right there walking by as a subway employee was in the process of pulling down the previous maps that covered it; this was perhaps 2 or 3 months ago when they started putting up the new maps. We both looked at each other when it was revealed and said "cool!". He then left it alone and went on his way.