Old Pictorial Map of Western Hemisphere Air Routes by BOAC, 1949: Dawn of the Jet Age

The 'BOAC World Air Routes - Western Hemisphere' is a captivating testament to the global reach of air travel in the mid-twentieth century. Published in 1949 by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), the map captures the Western Hemisphere in a thematic and pictorial style. It showcases the burgeoning air routes that crisscross the continents, reflecting the era's optimism and the rapid expansion of global connectivity. The map's scope, covering North America, South America, parts of Europe, and Africa, makes it a fascinating snapshot of the world as it was at the dawn of the Jet Age.

This map is more than just a geographical representation; it's a vibrant work of art. The pictorial style is reminiscent of the period's popular travel posters, with vivid colors and stylized illustrations. The map is populated with figures representing various peoples and significant sites, providing a snapshot of the cultural and historical context of the time. The attached slogan, 'Linking the old world and the new,' underscores the transformative power of air travel, bridging continents and cultures.

The 'BOAC World Air Routes - Western Hemisphere' is a thematic map, emphasizing specific subjects rather than just the physical layout of the land. The air routes are the main theme, depicted as lines linking various destinations across the Western Hemisphere. These routes reflect the era's major travel hubs and the global reach of BOAC, one of the world's leading airlines at the time. The map also includes a compass rose, a classic cartographic element, and a legend, aiding in the interpretation of the map's symbols and themes.

Historically, this map is a reflection of the post-World War II era, a time of rapid technological advancement and increased global mobility. The inclusion of the Eastern Hemisphere on the verso of the map further emphasizes the global scope of air travel during this period. As a historical artifact, the 'BOAC World Air Routes - Western Hemisphere' provides a unique perspective on a transformative era in world history, making it a valuable addition to any collection.

• Cartographic Style and Projection
• The map employs a thematic and pictorial style, a popular choice for mid-twentieth century cartography.
• The projection provides a broad view of the Western Hemisphere, encompassing North America, South America, parts of Europe, and Africa.
• The map includes a compass rose, a classic element in cartography.
• The pictorial elements and vivid colors are reminiscent of the period's popular travel posters.

• The map includes a legend, aiding in the interpretation of the map's symbols and themes.

• Interesting Facts about the Cartographer

• The map was published by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), a leading global airline in the mid-twentieth century.
• BOAC was the British state-owned airline that operated one of the world's first jet services.

• The map reflects BOAC's global reach, with air routes crisscrossing the continents.

• Interesting Historical or Physical Features Shown by This Map

• The map depicts the burgeoning air routes of the era, reflecting the rapid expansion of global connectivity.
• The attached slogan, 'Linking the old world and the new,' underscores the transformative power of air travel.
• The map is populated with figures representing various peoples and significant sites, providing a snapshot of the cultural and historical context of the time.
• The map's scope, covering a wide geographical area, makes it a fascinating snapshot of the world as it was at the dawn of the Jet Age.
• The inclusion of the Eastern Hemisphere on the verso of the map further emphasizes the global scope of air travel during this period.
• As a historical artifact, the map provides a unique perspective on a transformative era in world history.

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 map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way 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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.