1960s B.O.A.C. World Map on a Fan promoting Air Travel

This is a wonderful c. 1960s art-deco pictorial map made into a fan to advertise the 'Speedbird' routes of the British Overseas Airways Corporation or B.O.A.C. He paper map consists of stylized map of the world centered on London. Routes, appearing in white extend across the pacific, throughout Africa and Asia, and extending into Australia. Vignette illustrations throughout illustrate cultural icons such as Blackfriars Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, objects of natural wonder such as Mount Fuji and elephants, and a Masai warrior in Africa.

The Speedbird

The 'Speedbird,' appearing on this map in the right and left corners, is a stylized emblem of a bird in flighted designed in 1932 by Theyre Lee-Elliott as the logo of Imperial Airways. When Imperial Airways merged with British Airways Ltd., forming the British Overseas Airways Corporation or B.O.A.C., the logo was retained. B.O.A.C. eventually became British Airways and the Speedbird logo continued to be used until finally being retired in 1984.

Publication History and Census

There appears to be only one edition. This was issued in China on behalf of B.O.A.C.