1949 Kenneth Thompson Pictorial Advertising Map of the Americas

An attractive 1948 Kenneth Webster Thompson pictorial map of the Americas issued to promote cruise travel.

A Closer Look

Coverage extends from the Great Lakes to Cape Horn. Vignette illustrations highlight the cultural life, historic architecture, and, more than anything else, beautiful women, found in each local. Various cities are noted, particularly those that served as ports of call for one of the lines. To the left and right of the map are flag illustrations. At bottom, are images of the aircraft and ships of the various fleets. At top, logos promote the American Republic Line (Morre-McCormack Lines), the Grace Line, the Pan American Airways System, the Pan American-Grace Airways (Panagra), and the United Fruit Company (Great White Fleet). The text at the lower left provides a fantastic testimonial / public relations statement describing the role of the cruise and passenger lines in 'maintaining the channels of trade and communications' and encouraging a 'free inter-change of good, of people and of ideas'.

Publication History and Census

This map was first issued in 1948 and appears in only a single edition. Although the map is widely reproduced for decorative purposes, original examples from 1948 are scarce.