"Road Map Colorado National Forests", Clason Map Company

This map of the entire state has bright, attractive coloring and an index to towns dated 1919 in the right margin. It was produced to promote tourism in the national forests as evidenced by the large red marginal advertisements: "Spend Your Vacation in Colorado's National Forest - Vacationland Alluring," "Free Camping Grounds - 6,000 Miles of Fishing Streams - Attractive Summer-Home Sites - Wonderful Scenery," and the familiar "Help Prevent Forest Fires" issued well before Smokey became every child's favorite bear. The map is filled with historic routes including the Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway, the Gunbarrel Road, the Spanish Trail, Rainbow Route, the Hard Pan Triangle Route, and many more.

The automobile was first manufactured in the United States by the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in 1893, and by 1901 Oldsmobile had produced 425 automobiles. The Ford Motor Company, which was organized in June 1903, produced 1,700 cars during its first full year of business. These companies were the pioneers of the automobile industry, and the Clason Map Company was equally a pioneer in the production of maps to meet the growing demand of automobile enthusiasts. The existing bicycle and railroad maps did not well serve well this new form of transportation and maps were needed to identify roads suitable for automobiles; roads with adequate gravel, bridges, gasoline and repair shops, etc. In 1905 the American Automobile Association produced the first maps specifically for automobiles and George S. Clason quickly followed suit compiling maps with the assistance of local automobile clubs. This fine example of Clason's work was separately issued with no evidence of ever being in a cover.

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Condition: A+

Folding, as issued. A clean, bright example with fine color and impression.