Republic of Indonesia: new nation of the world

Date: ca. 1951
Place: New York
Dimensions: 85 x 26.5 cm (33.5 x 10.4 in)
Condition Rating: VG+

Out of stock

SKU: NL-00680 Categories: ,

Fabulous Covarrubias pictorial map of the Republic of Indonesia.

Details

We have dated this rare informational brochure to circa 1951 based on the fact that it celebrates and outlines the ideals and aims of the new Republic of Indonesia, which became the 60th member of the United Nations on September 29th, 1950. It was published by the country’s Information Office in New York, which clearly dedicated a lot of effort and resources to the project: the brochure is elegantly designed with illustrations and photos, and printed on thick, tall boards.

But the highlight is certainly the substantial 66 x 26.5 cm (26 x 10.4 in) pictorial map of the Indonesian archipelago. Each island is richly decorated with flora, fauna, art, architecture, and figures in traditional dress. For example, on Sumatra we see illustrations of a tiger and temples, on Java we see coffee coffee beans and locals celebrating with the Indonesian flag, and much more.

Finally, at bottom left there is an interesting size comparison overlay with the archipelago juxtaposed on a map of the United States.

Cartographer(s):

Miguel Covarrubias

Miguel Covarrubias also known as José Miguel Covarrubias Duclaud (22 November 1904 — 4 February 1957) was a Mexican painter, caricaturist, illustrator, ethnologist and art historian.

Covarrubias’ style was highly influential in America, especially in the 1920s and 1930s, and his artwork and caricatures of influential politicians and artists were featured on the covers of The New Yorker and Vanity Fair.

Republic of Indonesia Information Office

Condition Description

Excellent.

References

OCLC (45890019) lists only three institutional holdings: the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Smith College, and the Yale University Library.