1977 Spurll 'City Design Print' Pictorial Map of Tampa, Florida
Tampa area businesses and sites.
This is a 1977 Barbara Spurll / Archar pictorial map of Tampa, Florida. Spurll highlights local businesses and cultural institutions offering amusing commentary.A Closer Look
The map depicts from Clearwater Beach in the upper left to MacDill Air Force Base and the Albert Witted Airport along the bottom border. Businesses are drawn in a pictorial style and highlighted throughout, including banks, hotels, restaurants, and several shopping centers. Other illustrated locations include libraries, the local YMCA, the Tampa Bay Art Center, Tampa Stadium, and Busch Gardens. Tampa residents appear throughout, many of whom provide commentary on life in Florida or historic events. St. Petersburg occupies the lower left corner.Publication History and Census
This map was drawn by Barbara Spurll and published by Archar, Inc. in 1977. This is the only known cataloged example.Cartographers
Barbara Spurll (fl. c. 1972 - present) is a Canadian illustrator, best known for her portraits and children's book illustrations. She grew up in Winnipeg and studied art in Toronto at the New School of Art and the Artists' Workshop at George Brown College. Spurll remains active. Further Details...
Archar / Travel Graphics (1973 - Present) is a Canadian and U.S. publishing company initially based in Toronto, Ontario. The firm is best known for its 'City Character Prints' - cartoonish view style maps intended to express the 'character' of a city. The firm employed a host of in house art directors, as well as a host of freelance illustrators. We find no trace of the company after 1983. Variants of the imprint include 'Archer Western' based in British Columbia and the St. Paul, Minnesota based 'Archar International'. Around 1984, the Minnesota firm was renamed Travel Graphics - Archer International, often printing under the 'Travel Graphics' imprint. Travel Graphics later relocated to Hawaii, where they remain active. Further Details...
Condition
Very good.