"The Islands of the Bahamas",

This charming pictorial map of the Bahamas was created by George Annand. The map identifies the primary islands in the Bahamas, incorporating delightful illustrations of fish, flamingos, ships, and planes. Intended for tourists, the map includes the coast of Florida with Miami and Palm Beach noted, showing how close the Bahamas are to the USA, and a nearby note makes the islands even more enticing: "It's June year 'round in the Bahamas." Images of the British coins used in the Bahamas are also included. A large inset shows the island of New Providence, showing roads and favorite activities. A smaller inset focuses on the city of Nassau with a simple street plan and a numbered key identifying 19 locations (listed in the bottom margin). The superb title cartouche features the flag of the British Empire, the British Red Ensign with the Badge of the Bahamas, and an island landscapte extending the length of the map filled with treasure chests and pirates.

George Annand (1890-1980) was a commercial freelance artist. Born in Michigan, he attended art school in Detroit before moving to New York and taking classes at the Art Students League. Annand worked on a variety of projects during his career, including pictorial maps, dust jackets, illustrated books, and advertisements. Although he created an immense body of work during his lifetime, much of it cartographic, his map of the Bahamas was one of the few large, separately-issued maps that he designed.

References: Hornsby (Picturing America) pp. 34-38; Rumsey #8230.

Condition: B+

Very light toning with minor extraneous creasing and archival repairs to a few short edge tears, only one of which enters the image about 1/2" at top. There are two old manuscript ink notations in the New Providence inset at top.