1932 K. M. Leuschner Pictorial View / Map of Los Angeles, California

A fine example of K. M. Leuschner's rare 1932 pictorial bird's-eye view of Los Angeles. This is one of the view golden age pictorial maps to depict Los Angeles and is considered something of a holy grail among collectors. The view looks on Los Angles from the south, from a fictional high point somewhere above Santa Catalina Islands. The golden color palette underscores Leuschner's reputation as a master of color balance while also reflecting the legendary southern California sunshine. Despite the reality of Los Angeles and the United States, as a whole, being mired in the Great Depression, this map presents a glowing youthful image, suggesting prosperity and not a little Hollywood glam. And, indeed, despite the dark times, Los Angeles continued to grow throughout the Depression years.

Leuschner Quirky Interests

The piece, while offering only a general approximation of geographical accuracy, is notable for its focus odd-ball locations and little-known sites, reflecting the author's own eccentric interests. Indeed, although in this very year Los Angeles hosted the Olympics, the Olympic Village, Stadiums, and Auditorium are only minimally identified.

Leuschner, on the other hands, seems keenly interested in tire production, displaying the Goodyear blimp prominently and illustrating no less than four rubber factories: U.S. Rubber, Firestone, Goodrich, and Goodyear. The southern petroleum belt, with its many oil fields, is also noted. The more intriguing, unusual locations prominent here include 'Crystal Pier Nude Sun Baths,' 'Gay's Lion Farm,' the 'Rollerdome, 'Deodars Miles of Christmas Trees,' 'Johanna Smith Pleasure Ship' (a gambling cruise), and several night clubs, among them 'Topsey's' and 'Sebastian's New Cotton Club.'

An extensive index in the lower right names hundreds of important sites, including the homes of no less than 17 Golden Age movie stars ranging from John Barrymore, to Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Buster Keaton, and Will Rogers. Other nod to Hollywood, is Fox Studio at Westwood Hills. In addition, several local curiosities are noted, including the Electric Fountain at the corner of Santa Monica and Wiltshire, likely constructed in 1931 as Leuschner was penning this map. The University of California in illustrated with great prominence.

Publication History and Census

This pictorial view was drawn by Karl Moritz Leuschner and published in 1932 by Metropolitan Surveys. It was printed by the Western Lithographic Company, Los Angeles. We note examples at the Library of Congress and the University of California, Berkeley. Scarce to the market.