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Mounted and varnished example of this 1929 Griswold Tyng pictorial map of the eastern United States, crafted to highlight important events and figures in American history.
The map is richly decorated with pictorialvignettes that identify and illustrate key moments and people, sometimes explicitly, while others require familiarity with American history. The illustrations refer not only to the founding of the colonies but also to the exploration of the continent, featuring figures such as La Salle in Michigan and the routes of notable explorers like Champlain, Ponce de Leon, de Soto, and Verrazano, tracing their paths across the continent and the seaboard.
Prominent American presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, are depicted alongside writers such as James Fenimore Cooper and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The map does not shy away from more controversial elements of the nation's past, including representations of the Ku Klux Klan, 'Johnny Reb,' and Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy. Significant historical events, such as the Surrender at Appomattox Court House that ended the American Civil War, President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and the severe winter endured by the Continental Army at Valley Forge, are also referenced.
American industry and agriculture are illustrated with vignettes showing shipbuilding, whaling, iron smelting, and the agricultural bounty of various regions—wheat and sheep in Ohio, cotton and tobacco in North Carolina, and citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit in Florida. The map is surrounded by a detailed border depicting a pictorial summary of American colonial history, stretching from the era before European settlers arrived to George Washington’s inauguration as the first President of the United States in 1789. The border also features portraits of key figures such as Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin.
Griswold Tyng, a Massachusetts native, was known for his skill in illustration and painting, focusing on portraits, maritime themes, human activities, and historical figures. His artistic style is evident in the detailed and vibrant vignettes that adorn this map. The border is filled with scenes depicting the founding fathers, early settlements, and critical moments in U.S. history, creating a rich tapestry of the nation’s heritage. The vignettes include depictions of products, people, plants, and wildlife, giving a sense of the local history and character of each region. Notable is the inclusion of De Soto's route across the South and the diversity of people important to the nation's history—from Native Americans and Norsemen to French explorers and Spanish missionaries—shown in the vignettes surrounding the map's title.
Overall, this pictorial map serves not only as a geographical representation but also as a comprehensive visual narrative of the cultural and historical forces that have shaped the eastern United States. It offers a unique blend of cartography and artistry, making it a significant artifact that captures the complexity and richness of American history.
