The West Coaster [Title on Verso]

Tour the historic West Coast on board United Airlines!

This fun pictorial map, dated 1975, was distributed as a souvenir on board United Air Lines’ West Coaster Service. An illustrated overview of the West Coast, drawn by Al Wiseman, provides an ‘American’ historical perspective beginning with the arrival of Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century into the 1870s.

Dozens of vignettes depict caricatured figures, geographic features, and notable events – often with a humorous tone, but unfortunately also sometimes stereotypical. The Wild West theme even extends to the media on which the map was printed – brown parchment-like paper folded down to the size of an envelope.

The verso synthesizes historical details about the West Coast with the premier offerings of the West Coaster Service, including an overview of their themed menus and colorful text about life in the West. “In a place like this, it’s no surprise that West Coasters are a special breed, more active, more innovative, always ready for a new experience, but aware of their long traditions.”