The Forgotten Files

Share this post

Booklovers Map of America (c1926)

forgottenfiles.substack.com

Discover more from The Forgotten Files

Your free archive of historical curiosities
Continue reading
Sign in

Booklovers Map of America (c1926)

Take a trip back to high school English

Peter Pappas
May 22, 2023
12
Share this post

Booklovers Map of America (c1926)

forgottenfiles.substack.com
7
Share
Click images to enlarge

This “Booklovers Map” was designed by Paul Mayo Paine, who designed several pictorial maps during the 1920s and 1930s. He served as a librarian at the Syracuse [New York] Public Library from at least 1919 to at least 1931.

The pictorial map is dedicated to the locations which mark principal works of American literature. Novels whose plots take place in multiple locations, such as the Grapes of Wrath are indicated by dotted lines which trace the itinerary of the story.

Countless literary works or folk legends are named in iconic vignettes including The Red Badge of Courage, The Virginian, Leatherstocking Tales, Sleepy Hollow and Paul Bunyan, with something of note remarked on each of the 48 states.

The map also includes the birthplaces and homes of several important writers. Insets around the outside of the map provide additional information about certain cities which have particular literary significance. ~ Vintage Map Shop


For more pictorial maps of America see:

Porcineograph (1876)

Peter Pappas
·
May 23, 2022
Porcineograph (1876)

One of the rarest and most fascinating images of American comic cartography, "This Porcineograph" celebrates the American Union - and the pig! At the center is a map of the United States as a pig "copied from the Census Surveys of 1870, adding only 3 feet of territory (?) resting on Cuba, Mexico and the Sandwich Islands, and the Hydro-Cephalus from Cana…

Read full story

A good-natured map of the United States setting forth the services of The Greyhound Lines (1939)

Peter Pappas
·
December 21, 2021
A good-natured map of the United States setting forth the services of The Greyhound Lines (1939)

Colored pictorial map of the United States on sheet 30x48, folded into self wrapped cover 16x10. Date estimated. The Greyhound bus routes are shown in black, with interconnecting routes in dotted line, small pictographs highlight the attractions of places, and recreation along the routes. (on verso) text: travel information and vie…

Read full story

When Paul Bunyan Got Cancelled (1953)

Peter Pappas
·
Apr 13
When Paul Bunyan Got Cancelled (1953)

The map was intended as a bold celebration of America in the aftermath of victory in World War II - part of the effort to strengthen the nation at home and abroad. During World War II, the well-known Brooklyn artist William Gropper volunteered his services to the Treasury Department, illustrating posters -winning him a citation and …

Read full story


Title: Booklovers map of America, a chart of certain landmarks of literary geography.

Creator: Paul M. Paine

Publisher: New York : R.R. Bowker Co.,

Date: c1926.

UM Clark Library Maps: 008393038

12
Share this post

Booklovers Map of America (c1926)

forgottenfiles.substack.com
7
Share
Previous
Next
7 Comments
Share this discussion

Booklovers Map of America (c1926)

forgottenfiles.substack.com
Eric Stromquist
Writes The Laughable Feast
May 22

I'm pleased Astoria is the only Oregon town to make the book map. And suddenly I'm gripped with the desire to be a culinary tourist and explore me some US Geohography.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
1 reply by Peter Pappas
Stephen Rutledge
May 22

Isn't Oregon's book ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1879)?

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
1 reply by Peter Pappas
5 more comments...
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Peter Pappas
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing