Universal Map of Outer Space

A colorful Space-Age visualization of the Solar System.

This eye-catching chart of outer space was first issued in 1958, the year after the Soviet Union launched its first successful satellite into orbit. Public interest in the great beyond was immense (NASA was established the same year), and numerous commercial publishers rushed to issue fantastical representations of what the future may hold. Sputnik is omitted from the primary image, which depicts a heavily stylized view of the nine planets situated across the solar system. Accompanying illustrations reminiscent of Chesley Bonestell purportedly show the wondrous landscapes across various planetary bodies. The informative compilation is completed with an interplanetary weight chart and a distance chart for interstellar communications.

Originally copyrighted in 1958 and published by the prominent mapmaking firm of Rand McNally & Company. This example was printed slightly later, in 1966, and distributed compliments of Disabled American Veterans. Apart from the text in the lower margin, there is no difference between the two editions. Previously owned by Thomas Bezouska (signed, lower right margin), with accompanying original addressed envelope.