Catalog Archive
Auction 191, Lot 156

"A Good-Natured Map of the United States Setting Forth the Services of the Greyhound Lines and a Few Principal Connecting Bus Lines",

Subject: United States

Period: 1939 (published)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
18.5 x 11.5 inches
47 x 29.2 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This is a reduced version of a vividly colored map that is filled with charming vignettes and figures. The map was issued during the 1930s-40s, the heyday of bus transportation in the U.S. This particular edition was published in conjunction with the World's Fair of 1939; to commemorate the event, this edition replaces the Statue of Liberty illustration in New York with the Trylon and Perisphere, the modernist structures that comprised the Theme Center of the fair. The Greyhound bus routes are delineated in bold black with the interconnecting routes in dotted line. Small pictographs highlight the attractions throughout the country and most are accompanied by humorous text including "thar's room in Texas for all of Yurrup and half of Africa, yes suh" and in Nebraska, "no use making a pig of yourself, get out there an' give a lady a chance." The title cartouche is bounded with two vintage Greyhound buses. The map is further embellished with a fancy legend cartouche featuring the sleek greyhound associated with the business, and a large compass rose and fleur-de-lis in the Atlantic. The map is in the style of Jo Mora. There is no artist attribution, but there is a monogram at lower right with a "K" followed by the delta symbol. Self-folding (4.0 x 6.4") with related text and illustrations on verso.

References:

Condition: A+

A colorful example, issued folding. There is an ink manuscript notation on the pamphlet covers: "July 24, 1939."

Estimate: $140 - $170

Sold for: $90

Closed on 2/8/2023

Archived