1952 S.A.S. Pictorial View of the Italian Lakes Region

This is an unrecorded 1952 pictorial view of the Italian Lakes region, published by Editrice S.A.S. Among other features, it highlights the network of regional autostrade (highways), including the Autostrada dei Laghi, often considered the world's earliest motorway.

A Closer Look

Coverage spans from Iselle and Domodossola on the Swiss border south to Lago d'Orta in the west to Lago di Como in the east, taking in Lago Maggiore, Lago di Lugano, and several smaller lakes. Cities and towns, major roads (autostrade), railways, mountains, rivers, and lakes are illustrated and labeled throughout. Regional and international borders are traced, including around the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia, which is surrounded by the Swiss canton of Ticino. Distinctive buildings of some of the larger towns and cities are drawn, as are boats and bathers in the lakes.

Autostrada dei Laghi

The Autostrada dei Laghi connecting Milan to Varese (Autostrada Milano Laghi) opened in 1924 and is often considered the world's first dedicated motorway, a forerunner of all later highways. The road was conceived by civil engineer and civic leader Piero Puricelli (1883-1951), who, in 1921, won approval to build a toll road with one lane in each direction between Milan and Varese in the Lakes Region. It was a bold gamble, as, at the time, Italy had only about 50,000 automobiles, although the number was increasing rapidly. Furthermore, roughly half of Italy's cars were located in Lombardy, with most of those in and around Milan. In time, the road proved to be extremely successful, facilitating easy travel for Milanese seeking weekend getaways as well as travelers from further afield, and formed the basis of an expanded network of autostrade throughout northern Italy.

Publication History and Census

This view was prepared and published by Editrice S.A.S. in Arona in July 1952. As the name suggests, it was intended as a souvenir for tourists and likely would have been sold at a souvenir shop in one of the lakeside towns depicted here. It is quite rare; we have been unable to locate any examples in institutional collections.