Whimsical pictorial map of the United States devoted to the history and appreciation of postage stamps. The title cartouche dedicates the map to "philatelists everywhere" accompanied by the following wonderful quote:



"Postage stamps are beacon lights of history, monuments of heroes, gems of art, disseminators of universal knowledge, records of achievements and mute witnesses to the rise and fall of empires."



Amusingly, the major U.S. cities are represented not by their iconic landmarks, but rather by images of their post offices. The route of the pony express is from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California is marked by a trail of horseshoe prints.



Images of important postage stamps cover the map accompanied by notes about the history of mail delivery in the United States, including a reference to the first helicopter mail delivery only a year earlier in 1946.



Laid down on archival linen. Printed colour. (SL) [USA8977]



Ernest Dudley Chase



Ernest Dudley Chase (1878-1966), born in Lowell, Massachusetts, is one of the best known and prolific pictorial mapmakers of the 20th century. He created more than 50 different maps in his very distinctive style. A perfectionist, he is noted for his attention to fine details and for his illustrated vignettes. The maps frequently dealt humorously with serious subjects while always reflecting his passionate patriotism and optimism.



Many of his maps focus on his native New England, but he also designed maps of the world, Europe, North and South America, and WWII-themed maps. He published all of his maps from his home in Winchester, Massachusetts, taking orders from customers through the post. In a delightfully personal touch, he would sometimes sign his maps in pencil before dispatching them to customers.