The Game Fish Cyclopedia

“Designed for the Sportsmen of America by the House of Seagram.” – Text, bottom

This beautiful example of mid-century pictorial cartography reflects America’s postwar enchantment with the sport (and leisure) of outdoor fishing. Over fifty of America’s most popular game fish are skillfully represented in the outer border of the image. Each is associated with a series of coordinates and symbols that relate to the geographic distribution of that particular species within the map.

Deepwater beauties like the sailfish and marlin are depicted alongside smaller specimens, like salmon and trout, that can only be caught in the interior waterways. Color shading is also cleverly used to highlight the climates in which particular fish are found. Other data points (as would be expected in a self-described ‘Cyclopedia’) include the specific sites of American and/or world record catches.

The map was designed by Waldo Bemis (signed, lower right), with fish illustrations provided by Charles De Feo. The scientific accuracy of the piece was ensured through collaboration with experts like Francesca La Monte of the American Museum of Natural History and Field and Stream editor Ted Trueblood. Copyrighted in 1947 by Seagram-Distillers Corporation – a prime example of postwar promotional material aimed specifically at veterans.