1948 Higgins Pictorial Map of Cape Cod

An intriguing piece, this is a 1948 Claretta Pope Higgins pictorial map of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, surrounded by local recipes. While we have not tried replicating any of the recipes, it would be an interesting challenge!

The Map

Charming and informative, Higgins' map notes historical events and important buildings throughout. Illustrations depict churches, houses, and lighthouses, along with sailing ships and the 'sacred cod' just below a compass rose. Well-known locations, including Woods Hole, Hyannis Port, and Provincetown are labeled. An arrow in the upper left points to the 'Rable of Boston Citie'.

The Border

A unique pictorial border surrounds the central map, consisting of large illustrations of fish, seashells, sailing ships, and several kinds of birds. These illustrations, however, contain recipes for favorite Cape Cod dishes. Among the recipes are clam fritters, oyster stew, jelly doughnuts, steamed brownbread, baked beans, fish balls, plum pudding, strawberry dumplings, and cranberry pie. An intriguing direction appears along the top edge: 'Cut out map in center and use as wall decoration. Cut individual silhouettes and paste on cabinets. Use own brush work to join them. It's fun!' If a large number of this work's original purchasers followed this suggestion, that explains why not many have survived.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Claretta Pope Higgins in 1948. This is the only cataloged example.