1958 Jaro Hess Map of the Land of Make Believe

This is a 1930 second edition of the Jaro Hess pictorial map of the Land of Make Believe. It emerged at the height of the Great Depression (1929 - 1933) and offered much needed escapism during those brutal times. The map incorporates some 60 nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and children's stories with creative, entertaining, and attractive illustrations.

A Closer Look

Among the stories referenced are Little Red Riding Hood, Little Miss Muffet, Little Boy Blue, Jack and the Beanstalk, Old King Cole, Peter Rabbit, The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, the Wizard of Oz, One Thousand and One Nights, Rip Van Winkle, and Peter Pan. Each story has its own illustration and caption. Hess claims in a 1972 interview, that the original painting was shown at Chicago's 1933 Century of World Progress children's literature area - but this is unverified by any evidence from the exhibition. The American cartoonist and humorist Matt Groening, famed inventor of The Simpsons, claims the 'Land of Make Believe' was a primary inspiration for his most recent animated series, Disenchantment.

The Wandering Jew

This first edition features an old, hunched man with a long beard, cane, and yarmulke - labeled as 'The Wandering Jew'. The Wandering Jew is a mythical immortal whose legend appeared 13th century Europe. In the original legend, he was a Jew who taunted Jesus on the way to Crucifixion and consequently cursed to walk the Earth until the Second Coming. The exact nature of the Wanderer's indiscretion varies in different versions of the tale, as do aspects of his character; sometimes he is said to be a shoemaker or other tradesman, while sometimes he is the doorman at the estate of Pontius Pilate. In most literature he is held as something of a mysterious esoteric and holder of ancient secrets, sometimes mischievous, sometimes repentant, but in no way maleficent. In later editions of the map the name is changed to the more politically correct 'Wanderer'.

Publication History and Census

This map was initially copyrighted and published by Jaro Hess in 1930. The first edition is dated under Hess's signature in the lower left and bears the 'Jaro Hess' imprint at bottom center. The Land of Make Believe was then licensed to The Child's Wonderland Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who also issued a 1930 edition with their own imprint (2nd edition) - as here. In 1958 Hess modified the map, changing 'The Wandering Jew' to simply 'The Wanderer' (although the image remains clearly a Jew), renewing the copyright. At this time the copyright was picked up by Charles R. Sligh, the furniture magnate, whose imprint appears on the 1958 third edition. THat edition was printed by Dickinson Brothers, Inc, a lithography firm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From about 1982, the Hagstrom Map Company acquired rights to the image, which they license to Rosen-Ducat.

This map appears on the market from time to time, most commonly in the 1858 edition. The 1930 Jaro Hess imprint first edition is extremely rare, as is the second edition by 'Child's Wonderland'. Examples surface from time to time, but are rare in acceptable condition. This map was popular long after its release and its typical placement, in children's playrooms, led to a very low survival rate. In addition, most examples are varnished and glued to boards. Initially intended to protect the map, the varnish naturally degrades overtime causing considerable damage. The present example is clean and unvarnished - making it particularly desirable.