1950 Flachmann Pictorial Historical Map of St. Louis, Missouri - Signed

Height of Industrialization in St. Louis. Signed by author.

This is a whimsical 1950 pictorial map of St. Louis, Missouri, by Charles R. Flachmann. It depicts the city around the time of its historical population peak, before suburbanization and deindustrialization dramatically reduced its population in the late 20th century. The present example is signed by Flachmann and inscribed to Jim Knapp 1/21/57.

A Closer Look

Oriented to the west and centered on Market Street, Flachmann's map covers the center of St. Louis with a series of miniature vignettes illustrating noteworthy sites, local landmarks, and historical events. Parks, schools (including Washington University at the top center and St. Louis University near the center), churches, hotels, and other landmarks are illustrated throughout. References are also made to the city's industrial sites, from factories to mines and railroads, including poking fun at the number of gas tanks in the city. The 'world's largest brewery' operated by Anheuser-Busch is referenced at left, complete with the company's famous Clydesdale horses. Various illustrations make fun of aspects of local culture, including the 'unexplored territory' at left. Others allude to history, including the inset at the bottom-right, depicting the city as it appeared in 1780, when it was a minor, remote French (and briefly Spanish) trading outpost.

The present example is inscribed by Flachmann to Jim Knapp, with the date 1/21/57. Although it is uncertain, this may be James Gerard Knapp, who went on to become a much-beloved Jesuit priest in St. Louis. If so, Knapp would have been just 6 when he received this map. Nonetheless, Knapp's widely mourned death in 2025 is roughly consistent with our acquisition of this piece.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Chuck Flachmann in 1950. Budweiser issued its own version of the map, with advertising replacing some of the vignettes and text around the edge. A second, 1965 edition (previously sold by us, SaintLouis-flachmann-1965) contains different vignettes and numerous other changes, including the addition of the Gateway Arch and Busch Memorial Stadium. This first edition is quite rare, held only by the Library of Congress, the Missouri Historical Society, and the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection.

Cartographer

Charles Randall Flachmann (June 21, 1913 – June 6, 1983), commonly known as 'Chuck,' was an American artist active in Saint Louis, Missouri, in the middle part of the 20th century. Flachmann was raised in St. Louis and attended the University of Illinois, where he was captain of the swimming team and an All-American swimmer, holding intercollegiate records for 50 and 100-yard freestyle races. He nearly qualified for the U.S. team for the 1936 Olympics. During the Second World War, he served in the Army Air Force in the Pacific Theater, reaching the rank of Captain. Both before and after the war, Flachmann worked in the insurance industry, like his father, rising eventually to the role of Vice President of the firm Alexander and Alexander. Flachmann was an amateur artist and cartoonist and a member of the St. Louis Artists Guild, as well as a trustee of the Missouri Historical Society and the secretary of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Athletic Club. In 1941, Flachmann married Charlotte Marie Widen, with whom he had two children.   Further Details...

Condition

Excellent.

References

OCLC 864962289. Rumsey 8892.001.