Stephen J. Hornsby describes this rare and vibrant map as "among the earliest, largest, and most colorful of all American pictorial maps." Designed by Chicago-based artist Ignatz Sahula-Dycke for the 19th Annual Convention of the National Association of Real Estate Boards, the map clearly shows the influence of MacDonald Gill's pioneering "Wonderground Map" of London in its style and color scheme (notice those yellow roads), but with a distinctly American twist. Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the convention was held, is depicted as the heart of America, with all roads leading to the ornate compass rose that marks the city. Each of the states features a playful illustration related to real estate, full of ridiculous visual puns and inside jokes (with notable realtors named throughout). In Virginia, there is a portrait of George Washington, the "first realtor"; a traveling realtor in West Virginia dances the "real Charleston"; in New Mexico, a realtor in the pueblos brags, "We had co-op apartments 3000 years ago!"; an Idaho realtor drives a potato covered in literal eyes to the convention. In Cuba, a realtor hopes the convention will be in Havana the following year. A planeload of Hawaiian realtors flies in at bottom left, and a massive ship and rowboat navigate the Atlantic. The upper corners are filled in by mock coats of arms for different aspects of the real estate business. A message to realtors at bottom ("Howdy, Realtors!") is flanked by an Indigenous man and an engineer. Tulsa is shown in plan form in an inset at bottom left. State-by-state listings of member boards appear at left and right. Printed by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, Chicago. This is the only example of this map that we have seen on the market. This example is mounted on linen.

Ignatz Sahula-Dycke (1900 - 1982) was born in Austria and emigrated to the United States in 1908. He found success in America as a commercial artist, working as an art director and illustrator for Chrysler Motors, Field and Stream, Harper's Magazine, and more publications. As a painter, he was drawn to subject matter relating to the American Southwest, cowboys, Indigenous culture, and horses, hints of which can be seen on this map.

References: Hornsby (Picturing America) p. 186 & pl. 131.

Condition: B+

A bold, colorful example issued folding and now mounted on linen, repairing short edge tears and fold separations. There is light wear along the folds and tiny pinholes and chips in the corners.