1960 Davey Pictorial Map of the World, Pakistan International Airlines

Golden Age of Pakistan International Airlines.

This is a colorful c. 1960 map of the world prepared by Gordon Davey for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Though reminiscent of European maps of the 17th and 18th centuries, the map alludes to PIA's pioneering work as an early non-Western airline to adopt jets and establish long-distance international routes.

A Closer Look

The world is presented with the Levant at center, with much of the Americas, Australia, and southern Africa outside the scope of the map; this framing is perhaps meant to emphasize the airline's flagship international route from Karachi to London via Cairo and Rome. Major mountains and rivers are illustrated, and national boundaries are traced, with coats of arms representing many countries (including a five-star emblem for the People's Republic of China, reflecting Pakistan's recognition of and close relationship with the government in Beijing). Illustrations of people, animals, and structures are also employed to reflect local culture and wildlife. The oceans are filled with ships and sea monsters, which, along with the cherub at the bottom and overall aesthetic, recall the ornate style of early modern European maps.

Pakistan International Airlines

Pakistan International Airlines was founded in 1946 as Orient Airways in Calcutta, later shifting its base to Karachi after the 1947 Partition. It quickly gained the support of Pakistan's founding father, Muhammed Ali Jinnah, who recognized the need for a national carrier to connect the geographically divided East and West Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan merged Orient Airways with a new national enterprise to officially form Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in March 1955. This era was defined by the introduction of the four-engine Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, which allowed the airline to launch its first prestigious international route from Karachi to London via Cairo and Rome.

The late 1950s marked a period of rapid modernization and international acclaim for the carrier, particularly following the appointment of Air Marshal Nur Khan (1923 - 2011) as managing director in 1959. Under his leadership, PIA became a trailblazer in Asian aviation, focusing on high operational standards and aggressive fleet expansion. This momentum culminated in a historic milestone in March 1960, when PIA became the first Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft, leasing a Boeing 707 from Pan Am to service the London route. In recent years, the airline has suffered from major operational and financial problems and, as a result, was privatized in 2025.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Gordon Davey around the year 1960 by British artist Gordon Davey for Pakistan International Airlines. It does not appear in any institutional collections and is scarce to the market.

Cartographer

Gordon Davey (c. 1912 - 1991) was a British artist and painter recognized for his whimsical and detailed style as a poster and commercial artist. Although he also produced paintings and other works of his own accord, his best known work was related to travel destinations, both in Britain (the Isle of Man, the Lake District) and abroad (especially a world map for Pakistan International Airlines).   Further Details...

Condition

Excellent. Light wear along original fold lines.