Rare Old Food Map of the USA, 1932: Poultry, Agriculture, Meats, Fish, Sea Creatures

Discover the captivating allure of "A Food Map of the United States," a striking pictorial map crafted by the esteemed Louis Delton Fancher in 1932. Commissioned for the Chicago World's Fair of 1933, this map serves as a vibrant testament to the agricultural diversity of the United States during the early 20th century. Each state is illustrated with colorful pictographs, showcasing the rich variety of food products that contribute to the nation's larder. This map is not just a geographical representation but a celebration of the country's bounty, skillfully rendered by a master graphic artist.

Louis Delton Fancher, renowned for his graphic artistry, brings his expertise to this delightful creation. Known for his work with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A & P), Fancher designed this map as a promotional piece for the World's Fair. His unique style combines informative content with engaging visuals, making the map both an educational tool and a work of art. Fancher's ability to blend aesthetics with functionality is evident in every detail, from the intricate state borders to the whimsical illustrations of food items.

The map is a visual feast, depicting a cornucopia of agricultural products across the 48 states. From the wheat fields of the Midwest to the citrus groves of Florida, each region is represented with its signature produce. The map also features charming illustrations of sea creatures in the surrounding oceans, adding a playful touch to the informative layout. An Eskimo on a fish symbolizes Alaska's contribution of great fish catches, highlighting the map's attention to regional specialties.

Inset maps further enrich the viewer's experience, offering insights into the distribution of poultry production, grains, meats, and fish. These detailed insets provide a deeper understanding of the nation's food supply chain, reflecting the economic and cultural significance of agriculture in America. The map's design cleverly integrates these elements, making it a valuable resource for historians and collectors alike.

This map is more than a historical document; it is a window into the past, capturing the essence of a nation defined by its agricultural prowess. Its lively illustrations and thematic focus make it a timeless piece, resonating with anyone who appreciates the intersection of art, history, and geography. As a luxury item, it offers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of American life, as seen through the eyes of a talented artist and visionary.

Cities and towns on this map

• United States:
• No specific cities or towns are labeled on this map.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset Maps:
• Distribution of poultry production
• A & P organization
• Grains
• Meats & fish
• Illustrations:
• Sea creatures in the ocean
• An Eskimo on a fish representing Alaska
• Borders: State borders are clearly defined.
• Other Features:
• Various food items depicted across states (e.g., corn, wheat, cattle)

Historical and design context

• Creation Date: 1932
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Louis Delton Fancher for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A & P)
• Purpose: Created as a promotional item for the Chicago World's Fair of 1933.
• Themes:
• Food Production: Illustrates the diverse food products supplied by each of the 48 states.
• Pictorial Elements: Contains colorful pictographs representing various food items.
• Design Style: Pictorial and thematic, with lively illustrations and inset maps.
• Historical Significance: Reflects the agricultural diversity and economic contributions of different states during the early 20th century.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This is a very large map that must be ordered at a large size, so that you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.