Vacuum Road Map of Western Australia

“Wherever you may go…Vacuum products and Vacuum service are available”

This fantastic piece of petroliana was published by the Vacuum Oil Company of Australia in the late 1930’s. Numerous illustrations and text advertisements promote the products and services of Australia’s first domestic oil company, Vacuum; established in 1895 as an overseas extension of the United States parent organization.

The map shows the limited road system available in the western half of the country in the late 1930’s. Distances are noted between points and an inset map shows the area around Perth, Fremantle, and Bunbury. The verso features a large road map of the gold fields around Coolgardie and inset maps of downtown Perth, the various access roads leading to the city, and the route between Eucla and Adelaide.

Posted travel rules include speed limits of 25 miles per hour and restrictions on U-turns. Various logos across the map advertise for ‘Ethyl’ – a premium brand of fuel introduced in the 1930’s. Others emphasize ‘Plume’, a lesser quality version, but also readily available, along with a variety of other Vacuum products “famous for performance in every field of service.”

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