1940 Pictorial Map of the Republic of Panama with the Canal Zone

This striking large decorative map of Panama was created in 1941, just before the outbreak of WWII. Two young American architects, John Herman and Clark Teegarden, who had been living and working in the Canal Zone just before the start of the war had gained intimate knowledge of the area and its history. It is thought they were inspired to create their map by earlier pictorial maps of the region such as Ashburton Tipp’s wonderfully exotic work of 1930 entitled A Map of Castilla del Oro Panama on the Spanish Main. Herman and Teegarden’s map differs significantly from Tipp’s in its treatment of historical, commercial and topographical detail. Rendered in appealing earth tones, this well-balanced map is distinguished by both its aesthetic appeal and the wealth of information provided by it. The lifestyle and undertakings of indigenous peoples are rendered in imaginative vignettes in many places, illustrating the diversity of these peoples. Historical sites and events are noted, such as th