Historic Massachusetts A Travel Map

“To help you feel at home in the Bay State!” – Text, front cover.

This is a lovely example of the earlier edition of Ernest Dudley Chase’s charming pictorial map of Massachusetts, later re-issued in conjunction with the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This version was sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Commerce and likely printed in 1956, according to a date code present on the verso.

The image presents a charming overview of the state, with dozens of vignettes highlighting historic sites, recreational opportunities, and various locations of interest. Major highways connect the primary urban centers, with parks and geographic features noted between. An inset in the lower center shows the area around Greater Boston, while the verso offers a mileage table, color photographs, descriptive text, and other travel-planning aids.

Ernest Dudley Chase (1878-1966) was born in Boston and began his career crafting greeting cards before finding his artistic niche in the 1930s with intricately detailed pictorial maps. Self-published from his home studio, Chase’s maps, exceeding 50 in total, captured diverse locations and themes, ranging from historical events to technological advancements. He meticulously hand-drawn each scene, imbuing his maps with a unique blend of scholarly detail, wit, and patriotism. Though commercially successful in their time, Chase’s maps are now prized by collectors and scholars for their distinctive style and whimsical take on cartography.