Mora, Joseph 'Jo' Jancito

This is the 1926 first edition of Jo Mora's pictorial map of the Monterey Peninsula - his first map and one of his rarest works. It was illustrated and published on behalf of Del Monte Properties, a resort company that operated numerous concerns throughout Monterey. (more details)

This is a 1928 Jo Mora pictorial map of San Diego, California, described by Mora as a 'whimsical map and history of a city in California'. (more details)

A beautiful c. 1931 / 1957 pictorial map of the Grand Canyon by Jo Mora. Roughly following the Colorado River, the map covers the most visited parts of the Grand Canyon. Many of the Canyon's unique formations, named after figures from mythology, fairy tales, and folklore, are noted with pictorial representations of their namesakes. The borders feature insets that range from historical notes to cultural illustrations and humorous cartoon anecdotes. (more details)

A striking 1936 collage representing American Indian life by the California-based artist Jo Mora. Mora had a lifelong fascination with Native American culture, especially the Hopi and Navajo, and early in his career, he spent several years traveling and living among them in Arizona. (more details)

A striking 1936 set of vignettes of Native American life by the California-based artist Jo Mora. Mora had a lifelong fascination with Native American culture, especially of the Hopi and Navajo, and early in his career spent several years traveling and living among them in Arizona. (more details)

Considered Jo Mora's most iconic image, this is the 1933/41 Evolution of the Cowboy. The image celebrates all things cowboy, from the rodeo to saddles, steers, and chuckwagons. Mora himself became a rodeo cowboy, and his depictions of cowboy life and culture reflect realism grounded in experience. (more details)

A beautiful example of the scarce 1942 Jo Mora pictorial map of Carmel, California. Located on the southern edge of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is widely regarded as one of California's most beautiful beach-front communities. (more details)

An intricate, beautiful, and playful 1945 pictorial map of California drawn by Jo Mora for Del Monte Canning. It is considered to be his final map. The work provides a whimsical and somewhat sanitized history of the state from the pre-colonial period to the date of publication. (more details)

This is a 1949 Jo Mora pictorial map of Yosemite National Park in California. The map centers on Yosemite Valley and identifies several of the granite peaks that surround the valley, including Half Dome and El Capitan. Most of these are topped by comical illustrations of their names. A Spanish conquistador, for example, stands atop El Capitan, a cloud lounges in an easy chair at the summit of Clouds Rest (the highest peak around Yosemite Valley), and George Washington appears at the top of Washington Column. A bride in her wedding gown and veil peers over Bridalveil Falls, while a bishop precariously straddles Cathedral Spires. Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and Yosemite Falls are all illustrated and labeled.

The valley itself, as well as the granite heights surrounding it, is filled with tourists enjoying their time in the park. People are illustrated picnicking, camping, fishing, swimming in the river, feeding deer, and fleeing bears who have decided to help themselves to their picnic! Another visitor is taking a photographic portrait for a couple of bears. Still others appear on horseback or hiking the steep trails. Cars filled with awe-struck admirers of the landscape travel along the meandering roads toward campsites and lodges. A border featuring vignettes of activities at the park, including swimming, a campfire circle, horseback riding, winter sports, and fishing, is situated along the left side. A text box in the lower right corner bears a dedication to Mora's friend Stephen T. Mather, the first Director of the U.S. National Park Service. (more details)