1938 Key West Florida. Cayo Hueso
DESCRIPTION
This rare illustrative map of Key West, Florida captures the character, charm, and evolving identity of the island during the World War II era. Produced by Arthur B. Suchy as one of only 100 hand-colored limited edition prints, this example contains "9/100" and his signature in the lower right.
The map illustrates the entire island of Key West with rich detail and whimsical embellishments, celebrating the island's layered past, vibrant present, and hopeful future, as conveyed through three inset texts titled “The Past,” “The Present,” and “The Future.” The Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean frame the island, while geographic contours, buildings, natural features, and decorative figures such as seahorses, parrots, galleons, and pirates add visual intrigue and historical flair.
Eighty locations of interest are labeled across the island, including schools, churches, military sites, and historic landmarks. Notably, the map marks the location of the Pan American Airport, where the first international passenger flight from the United States departed to Havana, Cuba; a pivotal moment in early aviation history. Other engaging details include the precise latitude and longitude of Key West, the depiction of the cultural groups who have shaped its history (lower right corner), and the now-famous note “90 miles to Cuba,” a phrase popularized during the Kennedy era and emblematic of Key West’s strategic geopolitical location.
Arthur B. Suchy, the artist behind this map, was an illustrator based in Ohio known for his colorful and imaginative pictorial maps produced in the mid-20th century. His work often blended cartographic accuracy with decorative, story-rich embellishments that made his maps both informative and highly collectible. Suchy’s style was rooted in the tradition of American pictorial cartography, using humor, symbolism, and historical vignettes to create engaging works of visual storytelling. This Key West map is among his most celebrated pieces, valued for its limited run of prints, aesthetic appeal, and nostalgic portrayal of the island’s heritage.
CONDITION
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