Catalog Archive
Auction 161, Lot 380

"[Lot of 2] The Famous Hysterical Map of Yellowstone Park Including a Few Minor? Changes [and] Yellowstone National Park Compiled from the Official Records of the General Land Office. U.S. Geological Survey and Other Sources...",

Subject: Yellowstone, Wyoming

Period: 1908-48 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
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A. The Famous Hysterical Map of Yellowstone Park Including a Few Minor? Changes, by Lindgren Brothers, dated 1948 (15.6 x 15.6"). This graphic map of Yellowstone National Park was "hatched & scratched" by Jolly Lindgren. It depicts the park in a light-hearted manner, with a number of silly visual puns, including hot springs drawn as coils radiating sizzle lines, a belching cabin to mark Soda Butte, a pool table standing in for Congress Pool, and a holdup bear appearing as a bear with a pistol. Old Faithful sings, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," while Folsom Peak has a jail cell on top. Lindgren also inserts jokey asides, such as a parenthetical "Are Ya Hurt?" beneath Gibbon Falls and "Hell for Certain" under Brimstone Basin. The Lindgren brothers of Spokane, Washington, specialized in humorous maps of state parks. An alternate title surrounds the map: A Hysterical Map of the Yellowstone Park with Apologies to the Park Smileage Guaranteed.

B. Yellowstone National Park Compiled from the Official Records of the General Land Office. U.S. Geological Survey and Other Sources..., by General Land Office, dated 1908 (20.1 x 25.4"). A well-colored and finely engraved map filled with many details, showing all rivers and streams, waterfalls, lakes, roads, and trails. The legend further delineates the Snowshoe Cabins, Stations, and differentiates between trails and roads. It locates all of the geyser basins plus it names scores of individual geysers. The recently constructed Old Faithful Lodge is on the map simply as "Hotel." This famous landmark was constructed in three phases between 1903 and 1927. At this stage, only the original section (known today as the Old House) was completed. The effect of stone lithography is evident in the depiction of contour with stipple-style shading. This most handsome map of the park was completed during Fred Dennett's term as Commissioner to the General Land Office. Compiled and drawn by I.P. Berthrong and lettered by C.J. Helm.

References:

Condition: A+

Clean, colorful, and issued folding. Fine examples.

Estimate: $250 - $325

Sold for: $170

Closed on 2/8/2017

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