Posts Tagged ‘South Dakota’

All Mapped Out!

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

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pile of vintage travel maps from the 1960s

This collection of vintage maps was a fabulous recent buy.

detail of a vintage travel map from the 1960s

We were quite excited when we saw them lurking at the bottom of a mixed box at auction…

detail of a vintage AAA travel map from the 1960s vintage AAA travel map from the 1960s

…their bright colours and fab period illustrations calling out to us!

detail of a vintage Enco travel map from the 1960s vintage Enco travel map of the Dakotas and Nebraska from the 1960s

They’re all from the United States – most were produced by the American Automobile Association – and petrol (or gas if you’re from the US!) companies such as Esso & Enco.

Quite unusual for them to have ended up in a small northern town in England!

detail of a vintage Esso travel map from the 1960s vintage Esso travel map from the 1960s

They were obviously picked up by a pair of adventurous travelers – also in the box were old tickets, menus, napkins, receipts, notes and other bits of ephemera – all picked up along their way.

detail of a vintage travel map from the 1960s showing an illustration of 3 peaks, forest, sun, boats and water

We’ve really enjoyed sorting through them – artwork like this is good enough for framing.

detail of a vintage travel map from the 1960s

Inside, the maps are clean & bright – untouched for 50 years or so. Full of handy hints and endless possibilities.

detail of a vintage travel map from the 1960s showing a mileage chart

The thought of setting out in a convertible or camper van with a pile of these is very appealing indeed!