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Classic 1970s Vignelli Subway Map Uncovered At Midtown Subway Station
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 11, 2017
Modified Oct 12, 2017
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Scott Heins/Gothamist
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 11, 2017
Modified Oct 12, 2017
Share
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It's been about forty years since the MTA used Italian designer Massimo Vignelli's modernist transit map, but people are still debating its merits and disagreeing on the design today. If you want to get a good look at what all the fuss is about, then you should consider stopping by the 57th Street subway station, where a vintage Vignelli map has been uncovered.
The Vignelli subway map, which only lasted from 1972 to 1979, is visible at the 57th Street/6th Avenue F train station in Manhattan. Forgotten NY spotted it there this week, in the same place he spotted it in 1999 (we also noticed it in 2010)... so it's just never been taken down. And because of the protective plexiglass, no one has stolen it. Click through for photos of the relic, taken earlier today.
If you want to learn more about Vignelli, you can watch a 30+ minute interview with him below.
N.B. This is also the station where The Ramones shot the cover art for their Subterranean Jungle album.
Tagged
maps
massimo vignelli
MTA
subway
subway map
train
vignelli
original
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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