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A superbly decorative and patriotic commemorative pictorial map designed by Ernest Clegg to mark the 1934 America’s Cup Challenge, highlighting the waters between Newport, Rhode Island, Block Island, and Martha’s Vineyard—the designated racecourse for the fifteenth defense of the Cup.
The map itself shows the nautical course with radiating distance circles centered on Brenton Reef Lightship, the official mark for the starting line. The surrounding coastline is detailed in rich color, with Buzzards Bay, Narragansett Bay, and Vineyard Sound labeled in Clegg’s distinctive script. Inset into the bottom border are vivid illustrations of notable yachts that competed in past challenges, including Puritan (1885), Shamrock I (1901), Valkyrie II (1893), and the 1934 challenger Endeavour.
At the center is a depiction of America, the schooner that won the original 1851 race, above a banner recounting the origins of the Cup and its defense by the New York Yacht Club.
Framing the map are text boxes recounting the history of the schooner America, the races for the Cup, and the various challengers from British and Irish yacht clubs, including Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Ulster Yacht Club, and Royal Clyde Yacht Club.
Clegg, a British-American mapmaker, was known for his patriotic pictorial maps and calligraphic flair. This example, produced by The Beck Engraving Company, exemplifies his talent for combining factual geography with romantic nationalism and decorative flourish.
Rarity
According to the manuscript limitation number, the map was published in an addition of 400.
The map is scarce in commerce, this being the first time we have had it.
