Mapping The World's Fur Trade
Rare separately published advertising map and promotional broadsheet, produced by the Franz Kubicek furrier business in Vienna, in or about 1908.
The title of the map translates as: "Overview Map of the Countries of Origin of the Main Luxury Fur Animals for Furriery".
The unusual pictorial style map illustrates the geographical origins of various luxury fur-bearing animals used in the furrier's trade. The map integrates zoological and commercial information, delineating the global span of fur trade routes and highlighting the diverse species sourced from continents like North America, Europe, and Asia.
The period marked a high point in the European fur trade, characterized by expansive international networks and a burgeoning consumer class aspiring to luxury goods. The map itself is adorned with vivid illustrations of animals, each positioned over their respective geographic areas. The reverse side of the broadsheet features detailed textual advertisements and illustrative depictions of various fur garments and accessories, further emphasizing the luxury aspect of the products.
The text on the map also promotes the company's summer storage facilities for fur good and winter clothing and also promotes the value of having repairs and fashion changes for the coming winter season undertaken during the summer months, when the services can be performed at a significant discount over alternations, etc. done during summer months.