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Thomas Brothers and Their Legacy in Mapping

The Thomas Brothers, pioneering cartographers of the 20th century, carved a unique niche in the world of mapmaking with their meticulous street atlases that have since become indispensable resources for countless Americans. The trio's journey began in the bustling hub of Oakland, California, in 1915, where George Coupland Thomas and his two brothers established Thomas Bros. Maps.

Initially, their publications included detailed block maps, birds-eye views of communities, and what one might consider generalized tourist maps. Their emphasis on accuracy, granularity, and user-friendliness quickly set them apart in the growing map industry. By the late 1940s, the brothers expanded their offerings, introducing street guides initially available as pocket-sized booklets. These guides encapsulated regions across several counties in California and even extended to Washington, offering detailed street views and points of interest.

A significant historical footnote is the company's involvement in producing redlining maps for several major Californian cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento for the US government-sponsored Home Owners' Loan Corporation in the 1930s. These maps, controversial in today's context, played a role in shaping urban development and housing policies of the time.

In 1940, seeking larger opportunities and driven by the company's burgeoning success, the Thomas Brothers relocated their headquarters to Los Angeles. The move coincided with the addition of pocket-sized guidebooks dedicated to California and San Francisco, complete with fold-out maps, further solidifying their dominance in the local market.

Following the death of George Coupland Thomas in 1955, the company witnessed a transition in leadership. Warren B. Wilson, the family lawyer, acquired the business. Under his guidance, Thomas Bros. Maps continued to flourish, adapting to the changing needs of the market and expanding its geographic footprint.

By the onset of the California home development boom in the 1970s, the company's reputation was unparalleled. The transition to Irvine, California, in 1980 under Wilson's directive marked a new era, with the company setting its sights on digital innovations and new markets.

Place/Date:
Oakland / 1929 circa
Size:
16 x 17.75 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
97238
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1942
Size:
30 x 20 inches whole sheet
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
96154
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1950 circa
Size:
21.7 x 16.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
97221

Archived

Place/Date:
Oakland / 1940 circa
Size:
18 x 29 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
73471
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920 circa
Size:
18.25 x 17.5 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
23835
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1930 circa
Size:
14.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
58177
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1935 circa
Size:
21 x 21.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
72348
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1935 circa
Size:
24 x 18.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
72995
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1940 circa
Size:
13.75 x 21.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
90315
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
18.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63054
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1924
Size:
32 x 27 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
30105
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920 circa
Size:
15.75 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
23855
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1924
Size:
32 x 27 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
17595
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
22 x 17 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
20583
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920 circa
Size:
15.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
23973
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
38 x 26 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
42047
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
17.5 x 28 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
62876
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
18.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63031
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
18.5 x 16.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
63309
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
12 x 16 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63363
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
14 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63838
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
18 x 14 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63977
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920 circa
Size:
20 x 15 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
23881
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
20 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
24849
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
15.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63077
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
15.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63167
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
20 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63194
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
20 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63207
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
15 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63261
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
16 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63291
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
15 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
63341
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
20.5 x 12.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
63514
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
23 x 17.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
21187
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920 circa
Size:
15 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
23866
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
17 x 16 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
24062
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
17 x 16 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
24107
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
20 x 14 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
24924
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
15.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
62934
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920 circa
Size:
21 x 14 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
62980
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
16 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
63742
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
17 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
24133
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
20 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
24703
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920
Size:
15.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
63121
Place/Date:
Oakland / 1920 circa
Size:
20.25 x 16 inches
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
23815
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
23 x 17.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
23933
Place/Date:
Los Angeles / 1920 circa
Size:
21.5 x 18 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
24763