A cheerful pictorial of the United States for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.
[1958 Brussels World’s Fair] The United States The Land of the People / Les Etats-Unis Le Pays et ses Habitants / De Verenigde Staten hed Land en het Volk
Out of stock
Description
Issued in connection with the Brussels Universal and International Exhibition of 1958, this souvenir map represents the best impulses of optimistic pictorial cartography. In the classic language of the 1950s in general, and World’s Fairs in particular, the map celebrates both the great cultural diversity of the United States, along with the work ethic of its people. The United States is “a nation of workers,” who work hard enough to afford a high standard of living, but still have leisure time to enjoy the many and high-quality cultural activities on offer there.
While these sentiments may ring hollow today, the map’s lively illustrations give it a timeless charm. From coast to coast, the states are filled with drawings of activities, historical scenes, important landmarks, scenes of industry and agriculture, and more. Also noted are areas where different immigrant groups have settled.
The verso offers a guide to the United States Pavilion at the Expo 1958, which was held in Brussels from 17 April to 19 October 1958, and was the first major World Expo registered under the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) after World War II.
Cartographer(s):
Mary Jane Ronin (1912 – 1992) was born in Illinois and grew up in Nebraska. A talented artist from a young age, Ronin studied art at Omaha University before moving to New York City. She was an important art director there, and indeed one of the first female art directors in a field still dominated by men. She also worked as a book illustrator.
Condition Description
Some wear at folds, else very good.
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