WardMaps LLC & Boston Coasters

2011-03-10T17:05:00.000-05:00

Boston Globe Article
"Another look at the T store"

By Brian McGrory | March 9, 2011

Some people enter the scene with a gale force, straining to be heard in a time and place where the volume is always high. Others are like a gentle breeze, something to be enjoyed and for that reason, remembered.

And so it was that Steven Beaucher sent an e-mail last week on what was shaping up as something less than an ideal day for him and his business.

The public was seething over what has been a disastrous winter for the MBTA, a season that culminated when a commuter train took four hours to travel from Boston to Worcester, which sources say is only about an hour away. On the day in question, the delay was the subject of a front page story, yours truly offered suggestions for souvenirs the MBTA could sell in the online store it plans to launch by June, and hundreds of readers submitted their own MBTA T-shirt slogans to boston.com. My new choice: “EvenTually.’’

The assumption, my assumption anyway, was this new outsourced T store was bankrolled by a bunch of suits in a faraway office park who, in turn, were paying Asian villagers $2 a day to make ill-fitting tees and toss-away trinkets that would lead to a future Globe Starts & Stops column headlined, “T holds fire sale on shuttered online venture.’’

Enter Steven Beaucher, gently so. He sent an e-mail that began, “Good morning,’’ and ended, “Sincerely,’’ and in between, he explained that his Cambridge-based, family-run business is behind the T merchandise. “I rely on the MBTA on a daily basis and am excited that my company can contribute what it can to the financial well-being of the T,’’ he wrote.

He then invited me to his Mass. Ave. shop, WardMaps, run by him and his brother, Brian, to see the T merchandise he has begun selling ahead of the online store. I got over there as fast as humanly possible, meaning I didn’t take the T.

Beaucher was as gracious in person as he was in writing. His store was at once quaint and inviting, with hardwood floors and towering walls lined with prints, maps, and high-end posters, many with a transit theme.

“We all have a love-hate relationship with our transit agency,’’ Beaucher said. “We’re trying to create something positive.’’

Of course, there are T mugs, but they’re bold and stylish at upwards of $10 apiece. The $20 T-shirts are clean and contemporary, either in black or white, with a simple T logo. Beyond that, there are mouse pads with replicas of old T passes, pillows with old T photographs, journals with old T route maps on the covers. There is a moody artist’s rendering of the region’s relationship with the T, in the form of a print of Boston landmarks, and below them, amid tree roots, a route map.

Years ago, you’ll recall, the T opened a store, sold ridiculous schlock, and failed. This time, it has contracted everything out, gets a cut of anything sold, and is urging a sense of style. To that end, Beaucher disappeared into the back of his store and returned with a relic from the former store, a white crewneck with the slogan, “In Boston, this is a T shirt.’’

“We all mutually agreed: Don’t make that,’’ Beaucher said.

“We’re designers,’’ Beaucher said of himself and Brian. “I’m an architect. We’re setting a high bar for design.’’

Which might explain the T station sign replicas — beautiful steel signs for Haymarket or Arlington or anywhere else. “You want Forest Hills, boom, we’ll make it for you,’’ Beaucher said. Probably on time, too.

No, the Beaucher brothers can’t make the trains run on time. But they might make you feel a lot more stylish while you’re waiting through yet another delay.

Visit www.MBTAgifts.com to sign up for the MBTAgifts mailing list and be the first to hear about the official launch in early summer!

WardMaps Products Available Wholesale at 2011 Boston Gift Show

2011-02-22T17:53:00.000-05:00

Stop by and visit us at BOOTH #612

Drastic Reductions!

2011-01-28T12:48:00.000-05:00

In an effort to make room for lots of new inventory we have taken drastic reductions on several Atlases.
Click on the individual link to go to the full list of available antique maps.

Providence Rhode Island, 1875 Volume I
http://www.wardmaps.com/viewasset.php?aid=71

Providence Rhode Island, 1875 Volume II
http://www.wardmaps.com/viewasset.php?aid=72

Providence Rhode Island, 1875 VolumeIII
http://www.wardmaps.com/viewasset.php?aid=75

Providence 1908
http://www.wardmaps.com/viewasset.php?aid=76

Worcester 1922
http://www.wardmaps.com/viewasset.php?aid=118

Lowell 1896
http://www.wardmaps.com/viewasset.php?aid=119

Here are just a few examples:

Lowell 1896 Plate 1 (Perkins St, Market St.)
Originally $195, now $150

Lowell 1896 Plate 6 (South Common)
Originally $150, now $95

Providence 1875 Volume 1 Plate E (Hope Reservoir)
Originally $195, now $95.

Johnstown Rollsign

2011-01-21T21:50:00.000-05:00

2011-01-13T15:43:00.000-05:00

More vintage transit roll signs!
We are excited to made some room in the store to hang more of our rare antique roll signs from 20th century trolleys and busses. Featured are signs from the Berkshire Street Railway, New York MTA (Brooklyn Bus), Boston's MBTA Green Line and Boston's MBTA Red Line.
Browse our entire collection of vintage transit signs online here.

"T" Shirts now available

2010-12-17T12:14:00.000-05:00

Officially licensed by the MBTA and printed exclusively for us by a local screen artist, t-shirts are now available featuring Boston's MBTA "T" logo. We are offering the classic black "T" logo on white shirts as well as a white logo version on black shirts. All sizes still available. Stop on by the store to check them out.

Mass Ave Holiday Throwdown Saturday 12.11.10

2010-12-08T12:58:00.000-05:00

Support Independently Owned Local Businesses

WardMaps/BostonCoasters, along with our independent business neighbors on Massachusetts Ave, are celebrating the holidays with refreshments, food and live music!

We'll be open late THIS SATURDAY 12.11.10 until 10pm or until the keg kicks...

View this event on Facebook here

2010-12-02T10:03:00.000-05:00

Boston Dig 2010 Gift Guide just came out... Our antique subway/bus roll signs are featured at number 22!

WardMaps & MBTA in Starts & Stops column of the Boston Globe

2010-11-29T10:47:00.001-05:00

Map company on board with T merchandiseBy Eric Moskowitz
Globe Staff / November 28, 2010
Last week I wrote about the T’s plan to issue a request for proposals for a company to create official MBTA merchandise — from T-shirts to dog collars to neckties — that could be sold on the T’s website, at the direction of the general manager, Richard A. Davey.

That request will be issued in the first week of December, meaning the T store won’t be up in time for the holidays. But a limited amount of licensed merchandise is already out there, such as women’s jeans by Boston Jean Co. with the T’s multicolored route map embroidered on the back pocket ($159) available in stores and at http://www.bostonjeancompany.com/.

The day after I spoke with Davey, the T’s marketing department sought his signature on a licensing contract with WardMaps of Cambridge, a Porter Square business specializing in original and reproduction antique neighborhood maps.

WardMaps is owned by brothers Steven and Brian Beaucher, subway fans who have expanded their business to include transit maps as well as vintage subway and trolley memorabilia, such as original roll signs used to tell passengers where a train or trolley was headed.
Under the brothers’ new deal with the MBTA, WardMaps also now sells products with the T’s current transit map, such as mugs ($11.95) and messenger bags ($49.95), at their store and at www.wardmaps.com. The merchandise is also available at Brookline Booksmith and Davis Squared in Somerville.

The T gets a 10 percent cut, according to Barbara Moulton, the MBTA’s assistant general manager for communications and marketing.

“We’re convinced this is going to take off,’’ said Steven Beaucher, who is an architect. “We’re psyched for the T and psyched for us. Hopefully everyone’s going to get some good revenue out of this.’’
When the MBTA online store gets going, the WardMaps merchandise and other previously licensed gear will also be sold there, Moulton said.

MBTA gifts available online at:
Boston Coasters
WardMaps

Boston's MBTA Rapid Transit Map Now Available!

2010-11-23T17:26:00.000-05:00

Officially licensed by the MBTA, we are extremely excited to begin offering the
2010 MBTA Rapid Transit Map printed onto our products!

Purchase MBTA Rapid Transit Map on fine-art prints and customizable gifts at:

WardMaps.com | BostonCoasters.com

Antique Wall Map Acquisitions

2010-11-18T15:10:00.000-05:00

We've recently acquired and added to our website some very interesting antique wall maps. Featured below are some "blue back" charts from the mid 19th Century as well as an oversize canvas backed maps of the USA. View our entire antique wall map collection here. Contact us to purchase.

A New Chart of the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Archipelago & Black Sea from the Surveys of Capt. W.H. Smyth, R.N.K.S.F. 1849. Pub. by R. Blackford & Co.

Chart of the St. George's Channel and Irish Coast drawn from the late Surveys created by order of The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 1853. Pub. by James Imray.

United States 1897 by Harry King C.E. 84" x ~50"

New Vintage Transit Catalog

2010-11-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

We are excited to announce a new re-design of the Vintage Transit section of our website. You can now browse all of our vintage subway and bus rollsigns by city, transit operator, route or destination. We also updated our catalog with over 100 new items not previously listed online.

Our authentic transit rollsigns date from the early to late 1900s.

One recent acquisition is the following sign from a GMC bus operated by the Boston MTA in 1963. This rollsign covers Somerville, Cambridge, Everett, Charlestown, Arlington and East Boston. To purchase specific sections of this sign, visit our vintage transit collection.

Now Available: MBTA Station Signs

2010-10-28T16:42:00.000-04:00

We are excited to offer faithful reproductions of MBTA station signs, officially licensed with the MBTA. Pictured above is one of our first signs produced. Each sign is 8 gauge aluminum with a white powder coat and vinyl for route color and letters.

Each sign is 1 foot tall by 5 feet wide by 1 inch deep (just like the real ones).
100% Customizable. Choose any station and any subtext and we'll make one for you!

Choose a sign from any line: blue, green, red, orange or silver.
Choose any station in the current system, or make up your own.

Contact us for more information.

New Wall Maps Availble! Including Maine and World Maps.

2010-10-01T15:52:00.000-04:00

Eastern Hemisphere 1914

Western Hemisphere 1914

World Mid 1900s.

Maine 1867 by Walling

Read About Us in the Boston Metro Today

2010-09-28T09:53:00.000-04:00

NEW! CityFabric T-Shirts of Cambridge and Boston

2010-09-23T17:30:00.000-04:00

Now available in our store - T-Shirts with great vector maps of Cambridge, Boston and NYC by our friends at CityFabric! They designed the Cambridge shirt at our request. Stop on in take a look in person.

Cambridge CityFabric

Boston CityFabric

NEW! Bisque Coasters - Ceramic and Cork Combined

2010-09-03T17:26:00.003-04:00

Our cork backed coasters and ceramic tiles have combined forces to the create our newest product, the Bisque Coaster. Bisque Coasters feature a ceramic tile with a matte finish. The edges are finished and include a cork backing to protect your coffee table from scratches. Each Bisque Coaster is 4 inches square. The Bisque Coasters are for sale in groups of 4 for $24.95.

At Boston Coasters, you can choose from any of our local artists' work or upload your own image.
http://www.bostoncoasters.com/

At WardMaps LLC you can choose from any of our antique maps, and custom crop the map to any location.
http://www.wardmaps.com/

Old Photographs of the Boston Elevated Mainline (Washington Street El)

2010-08-26T17:26:00.010-04:00

Northampton Station

Dudley Station

Mainline at Blackstone Park

Forest Hills

We love mass transit! This new addition to our collection is historical photographs of Boston's elevated orange line on Washington Street. Originally built by the Boston Elevated Railway it was referred to as the Mainline and ran from Chinatown to Dudley Square and was later extended to Forest Hills. This series is courtesy of the Historic American Engineering Record which professional photographed the Mainline in 1968. The large format negatives contain great detail. Our website allows you to zoom in and see everything.

Click here to view the entire collection.

MBTA Shower Curtains In Stock!

2010-08-26T16:58:00.000-04:00

They're back! Need to brush up on your MBTA station stops in the shower? As of today, the Boston MBTA shower curtains are back in stock. You've been asking for them and we listened.

New Art From NYC!

2010-08-18T14:53:00.000-04:00

We spent the weekend down in Brooklyn and Manhattan meeting up with new artists who are going to make us cool stuff for our store! To wet everyone's appetite, now available in the store are rough and ready pieces like Mr. Staypuff by "Billy". Check out more of his work in our store!

More Vintage BMT and IND Rollsigns Available

2010-08-16T20:11:00.000-04:00

WardMaps recently acquired some more vintage BMT and IND rollsigns from New York City. These are authentic rollsigns from the early 1900s. Click here for a full listing of our NYC Rollsigns.

Now Available:

IND Kings Highway - Coney Island

BMT 57th St. Manhattan - Prospect Park

BMT Crescent St - Canarsie

IND D/DD 6th Ave Houston Express and Local

IND No Passengers - Special

IND Houston 2nd Ave - Hudson Terminal

Resident Permit Parking Signs

2010-08-16T19:59:00.001-04:00

Now available at Boston Coasters, new neighborhoods to our selection of Resident Permit Parking Signs. You can now order coasters and other products featuring the signs shown below.

Beacon Hill Resident Permit Parking Only

Cambridge Resident Permit Parking Only

South Boston Resident Permit Parking

Jamaica Plain Resident Permit Parking

Charlestown Resident Permit Parking

Back Bay Resident Permit Parking

Sales Tax Free Weekend 8/14 & 8/15

2010-08-12T14:39:00.000-04:00

No MA state sales tax* this weekend only!

Visit our store or browse online and SAVE 6.25%!

*applies to orders paid in full on Sat. or Sun. and to be shipped to a MA address or picked up at our store.

Vintage Brooklyn Bus Rollsigns

2010-08-09T21:35:00.000-04:00

Over the next few weeks we will be offering various sections of vintage Brooklyn bus rollsigns. Most sections will contain one bus route each. They vary in length from two lines up to eight lines, like the B49 route shown below. Click here to view our full collection of NYC subway and bus rollsigns.

Brooklyn Bus Route B49 rollsign section. More to come!

New Acquisition - London 1917 Pocket and Atlas Guide

2010-08-09T21:25:00.001-04:00

This is pocket guide of London from 1917 published by John Walker & Co., Ltd. Below is a copy of the cover page and two plates from the atlas. Click here to view all plates from this atlas.

London Plate 13

London Plate 11

Newly Acquired - Los Angeles Area Bus Rollsigns

2010-08-06T13:44:00.001-04:00

West Coast Represented! We've been expanding our rollsign inventory and now have a selection of Los Angeles area bus rollsigns. These rollsigns are lightweight mylar and feature Los Angeles, Pomona, Pasadina and more! Below are some pictures to wet your appetite.

Click here to view all the Los Angeles Rollsigns.

Tokyo City Railway Mouspads are Back in Stock

2010-08-04T21:57:00.000-04:00

The popular Tokyo City Railway Mousepads are back in stock. This map was designed by Zero per Zero, a pair of graphic designers from Seoul. We also have the large poster sized calendar and smaller pocket guide versions. Stop on by to check them out.

Map Placemats Now Available - Customize your own!

2010-08-04T17:05:00.000-04:00

New laminated placemats are now available. Like all of our gift products, these 11"x17" placemats are customizable. Choose from our collection of antique maps and create your own! These placemats are laminated with heavy 5mil laminate, making them waterproof and durable.

Set of four placemats.

Click here to read more.

New Atlas: Maine General Highway County Maps 1938

2010-07-30T15:24:00.000-04:00

Now available, over 50 hand colored maps of Maine from 1938. These maps were hand colored by our newest partner, John Barrows at his Falmouth custom frame shop Galeyrie.

Click here to browse the entire atlas.

New Fabrika T-Shirts In Stock

2010-07-30T14:22:00.000-04:00

We recently found some great T-Shirts from Brooklyn. These shirts are hand silk screened. We have two designs in stock, the ever cool Water Tower and the Williamsburg Bridge. Check 'em out!

WardMaps Map Blog Go!

2010-07-30T14:19:00.001-04:00

We've launched our new blog. Enjoy!