Eastern Hemisphere [and] Western Hemisphere

The global expanse of the United States presented to a 1930s audience.

This pair of pictorial maps was illustrated by the talented Ruth Taylor White and originally included in Our U.S.A. – A Gay Geography, published in 1935 by Little, Brown and Company. The whimsical attitude, bright colors, and cheerful global inhabitants would have been tremendously charming to a contemporary audience recovering from the Great Depression, but to modern eyes, the images are inherently stereotypical.

Each sheet presents a map of the hemisphere that labels only the oceans and shows the outlines of various countries. The global expanse of the United States is highlighted in black, with overseas territories and the contiguous 48 states receiving identical consideration. Racially insensitive caricatures of the various inhabitants of American territory occupy much of the negative space; with other decorative elements including sailing ships, planets, and flying machines.

Ruth Taylor White (1899–1976) left an indelible mark on cartography by seamlessly merging geography with artistic flair during the early to mid-20th century. Renowned for her pictorial maps, White’s innovative approach provided a captivating representation of different locations and landmarks. Through detailed drawings and vibrant illustrations, her maps became powerful tools for promoting a variety of destinations and products. Unfortunately, they were also effective in reinforcing popular cultural and racial stereotypes, from the ‘savage’ Native American to the African-American ‘Mammy’ caricature.

Source. LA Public Library