Antique bird's eye view map of Holy Land, 1887

George F. Cram & Company was a prominent American map publishing company that operated from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. It was founded by George Franklin Cram in 1867 in Chicago, Illinois. The company became well-known for producing high-quality maps, atlases, and globes.

George F. Cram & Company crafted this map on 1887. Bird's-eye view maps, also known as panoramic maps or perspective maps, are artistic renderings of cities, towns, or landscapes, showing them from an elevated, oblique perspective. They were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and were often used for promotional or illustrative purposes.

George F. Cram (1842-1928) was a skilled mapmaker and businessman. He initially started his career as a schoolteacher and used his background in education to develop maps that were not only accurate but also visually appealing and educational. His maps were popular in schools and households across the United States.

Cram's company quickly gained a reputation for producing up-to-date and detailed maps that reflected the latest geographic and political changes. They were known for their atlases, which contained a wealth of information about different regions, including statistics, historical data, and geographic features.

In addition to maps and atlases, the company also manufactured globes. These globes were considered some of the finest available, and they were often used as educational tools in schools and libraries.

Over the years, George F. Cram & Company expanded its operations and became one of the leading map publishers in the United States. The company continued to produce maps and atlases through the early 20th century, with several editions and updates to keep their products current.

After George F. Cram's death in 1928, the company changed hands and underwent various mergers and acquisitions. It eventually became part of the Rand McNally map publishing company. Although the George F. Cram & Company name is no longer used, their maps and atlases from the late 19th and early 20th centuries remain sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for their historical value and craftsmanship.