Map of Good Wishes for 1929

Cartographic irony on the eve of the Great Depression.

This charming cartographic calendar was distributed compliments of the General Drafting Company, Inc. in late 1928 or early 1929, prior to its move to Convent Station, New Jersey. Though the publishing firm was best known for its detailed oil company maps (notably having a long-standing relationship with Standard Oil), this ephemeral promotional piece represents a more whimsical approach. Classical elements from the Golden Age of Cartography like windheads, compass roses, and sailing ships are juxtaposed with illustrated vignettes and a stylized geography that reflects contemporary American optimism (for better or worse).

North America is the abundant land of Recreation, Good Roads, Industry, Ambition, Success, and Progress. Modern automobiles, soaring skylines, and even Santa Claus showcase U.S. exceptionalism at the height of the Roaring 20s. Though even in an idealized world, Chicago couldn’t escape its Gangland reputation! Prohibition is referenced twice, with smuggling across the Canadian border and the Happy Days offered by Cuba (complete with a cocktail shaker). Europe, Africa, and South America are relegated simply to Romance, Travel, and Adventure, respectively – a reflection on the popular isolationist ideology of the Interwar Period.

One notable illustration shows rather primitive West African tribesmen playing a round of golf, framing American leisure as the ultimate form of recreation. Also of interest is Mexico, the land of Harmony. Here, Good Wishes for 1929 were necessary, as the recent assassination of President Álvaro Obregón and the ongoing Cristero War reflected significant political disarray.