Grand Canyon
By: Jo Mora Publications
Date: 1931 / 1957 (Published) Monterrey, California
Dimensions: 14 x 18.5 inches (35.6 cm x 47 cm)
This bright and colorful pictorial map provides a detailed and whimsical look at the Grand Canyon, with marvelous vignettes scattered throughout the image. This is an example of the 2nd edition, published in 1957 and identified by the imprint 'Jo Mora Publications' which appears in the lower left margin
This map demonstrates Jo Mora's great ingenuity and flair for pictorial illustrations, his irreverence, inimitable sense of humor, and his serious passion for particulars of the land. It is full of Native American motifs, history, and images depicting the Grand Canyon as a tourist attraction. A myriad of religious and mythical figures decorate this fanciful map. Cowboys, Indians, Spaniards in war regalia, tourists, animals, lizard; Mora’s ‘Grand Canyon’ depicts an entire universe of people, places, automobiles and other objects of utilitarian purpose.
The map also includes the many famous architectural monuments from around the world as being located in the Grand Canyon, including the pyramids, a temple to Isis, an Ottoman amphitheater, a throne to the Norse Wotan, ‘father of all gods,’ Vishnu temple, the Freya Castle, a temple to Thor, a Brahma temple, and even a Zoroaster temple. Each edifice or description of such is accompanied by an appropriately fashioned and attired personage of that religion, period or place.
Joseph (Jo) Mora was born in Uruguay, and became one of the foremost pictorial mapmakers of the 20th century. He was an artist, historian and author who was especially interested in the indigenous peoples of America, including the Hopis and Navajo Indians in Kearns Canyon, Arizona. His interest was such that he learned their languages and customs, documenting their Kachina ceremony and collected other ethnological information in photographs and paintings.
Condition: This map is in B+ condition. Minor paper scrapes in the image, otherwise in superior condition.
Inventory #19725
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | T : (312) 496 - 3622