1935 A Slightly Cockeyed Map of That Slightly Cockeyed Community Hollywood Executed by That Slightly Cockeyed Topographer
By: John Groth
Date: 1935 (published)
Dimensions: 13 x 18.5 inches (33 x 47 cm)
This is a delightful pictorial map of Hollywood, created by John Groth, that celebrates the entertainment industry during its Golden Age of the 1930s.
It highlights iconic landmarks such as MGM, Columbia Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and the Chaplin Studio, along with cultural hotspots like the Hollywood Bowl, the Roosevelt Hotel, the Bel Air Bay Club, and the Clover Club. The map vividly captures the glamour and energy of Hollywood while offering a geographical framework with key streets and boundaries, extending from Venice Boulevard in the south to Vermont Avenue in the west.
What makes this map particularly intriguing is its depiction of Hollywood’s contrasting social dynamics. Alongside the glamorous world of movie stars and high society, Groth illustrates the laborers and working-class individuals who supported the entertainment industry. Notable examples include Chinese laborers raking near the bottom center and a Mexican man with a donkey in the lower right corner. These details highlight the multicultural and hardworking backbone of the city, offering a richer narrative beyond the glitz.
John Groth’s dynamic “speed line” style lends a sense of motion and energy to the map, perfectly capturing the liveliness of Hollywood. A Chicago native and renowned artist, Groth was celebrated for his sports and war illustrations, serving as Art Director for Esquire magazine and later as a war correspondent in Korea and Vietnam. His distinctive artistic style infuses the map with a whimsical yet detailed character, making it both a visual delight and a historical artifact.
Condition: This vintage map is in excellent condition with two small holes where once stapled in its original publication.
Inventory #12943
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