1988 King Pictorial Promotional Map of Aspen, Colorado

A moment in Aspen.

This is an impressive large-format 1988 pictorial promotional map of Aspen, Colorado, prepared by Chris King. It depicts Aspen at a time when it had already become renowned as a skiing destination, but before much of the development in the southern part of the town in recent decades.

A Closer Look

This view is oriented towards the southwest, looking towards Aspen Mountain and adjacent mountains. The town of Aspen dominates the sheet, with Aspen's famous mountains and ski runs in the background. Buildings are carefully rendered, and many are recognizable: some are identified by name, and sixty-six others are labeled numerically with an index on the verso. To the right of the central image, a secondary view covers from Aspen Mountain to Snowmass Village. Advertisements appear at right on the recto and in a border around the verso. The present map has the location of the Alpine Shirt Company highlighted and its information and advertisement similarly highlighted on the verso.

Historical Context

This map captures Aspen at a time when it had become firmly established as an international destination for skiing and had successfully developed as a resort. However, it maintained an appealing small-town feel with many mom-and-pop businesses. In the decades since, there has been additional development in the southern part of Aspen near Aspen Mountain, including very large and luxurious hotels and resorts, in areas that are empty or nearly so here. Note, for example, the 'Hotel under construction' along Durant St. (number 10) near the Silver Queen Gondola; this became the Little Nell (named after a bar formerly at the same site), which advertises itself as the only five-star slopeside hotel in Aspen, complete with ski-in/ski-out access.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Chris King in 1988. King published editions from 1982 through at least 2007, and although several of these are cataloged in the OCLC, no examples of the present 1988 edition are present.

Cartographer

Chris King (fl. 1980 - present) began publishing the Jackson Hole Picture Map in 1980 from his commercial art studio in Aspen, Colorado. He bought the Aspen Picture Map in 1982 (the map was first issued in 1974) and completely overhauled the publication. The maps are updated annually and are published by King Picture Maps, Inc.   Further Details...

Condition

Very good. Light wear along original folds.