Weekend Vacation Guide in the Western Southland
Cartographer:
Lewicki, James
Date of Creation:
c1957
A lovely pictographic map of the US Southwest created by James Lewicki for the the Ford Motor Company and included in an edition of 'Ford Times. A Car Owners Magazine'. Lewicki's style, while unique, is closer to that of Ruth Taylor White than of Jo Mora.
“Here, within easy driving distance of our cities in the West, is a fabulous land of mountains, deserts, lakes, rivers and seashore – all of it asking to be explored, enjoyed, and marveled at. Whether you see it for the first or hundredth time, there is always something new and fascinating for the motorist. In the Western Southland you can travel, in a short time, from sea level to snow-capped peaks 10,000 feet high – traversing as you go the seven zones man finds habitable on this earth. Here is a lavish variety of scenery offering you a new weekend vacation idea around each turn of the road – 52 Vacations a Year if you wish” (cartouche).
Lewicki’s lively map includes, as expected, all major roadways and U.S. Routes identified by badge, but importantly no Interstate Highway badges which were first introduced in 1961. The newly opened (1955) Disneyland, at Anaheim, is shown.
The 'Ford Times' was a monthly publication produced by the Ford Motor Company from their headquarters in Michigan. The first issue was published on April 15, 1908, and the series continued until 1996.