1955 Roylprint Placemat Pictorial Map of Florida

This is a charming c. 1955 pictorial placemat map produced by Roylprint. It reflects the state's development as a national destination for tourists and seasonal migrants in the Postwar period.

A Closer Look

The sheet presents a map of the state of Florida surrounded by representative illustrations, including beaches, palm trees, fishing boats, alligators, water skiing, the state bird (the mockingbird), and the state flower (the orange blossom). Cities and towns are indicated throughout, with a distinct emphasis on beaches and tourist destinations. Some locations are represented with illustrations, including the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of Tampa.

Publication History and Census

This sheet was prepared by Roylprint, a division of the paper product company Royal Lace Paper Works, c. 1955. It is undated, but the jet fighter at top-left near Naval Air Station Pensacola (Warrington) provides a potential clue. It may be a Grumman F-9 Cougar, a McDonnell F-3H Demon, or a Grumman F-11 Tiger, all of which suggest the mid-late 1950s. This placemat pictorial map is cataloged among the holdings of the University of South Florida and the Tampa Bay History Center's Touchton Map Library.