Road Map: Chevron Gousha Lithograph, California Redwoods, H.M. Gousha, USA, Vintage 1960 - SOLD

A Chevron road map from the "Silver Age" of automobile maps, its cover lithograph showing the California Redwoods, where a family enjoys the deer.

• Publisher: H.M. Gousha Company, for Chevron
• Copyright: 1960
• Format: Folding paper road map
• Dimensions: 9 inches by 4 inches (folded)
• Origin: USA
• Era: Vintage, 1960
• Condition: Excellent — the paper is yellowing, consistent with its age, but there are no tears, stains, writing, or other damage. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

Such a beautiful map, and hard to find. Made by the H.M. Gousha Company of Chicago, it has several illustrations of areas of interest in California. On the cover, the lithograph depicts the Redwoods area, with a family enjoying the deer, surrounded by redwoods. Inside are illustrations for Sequoia National Park, Mount Whitney, Red Rock Canyon, Hollywood, Palomar Observatory, and many others. Truly a map to be treasured, from what is known as the "Silver Age" of automobile maps because this period has the most beautiful scenes, bright colors, and great graphics.

The perfect gift for a collector, whether collecting for nostalgia, great illustrations, a gas station collection, local history, map makers, or memories of a visited or lived-in destination. There are many reasons to start or continue this great and relatively inexpensive hobby, and we hope this map brings you joy. A great going away present for someone moving to or leaving the state of California.

H.M. Gousha Company was started by Harry Mathias Gousha, a salesman for Rand McNally who left the company in 1926 to start his own map company in Chicago, IL. The company became one of the "Big Three" major producers of road maps and atlases in the United States during the 25 years following World War II, making maps for oil companies and auto clubs and becoming a very big competitor of his previous employer. The company relocated to San Jose, CA in 1947. It was acquired by the Times Mirror Company in 1961, and then Simon & Schuster in 1987, and, ironically, by Rand McNally in 1996.

Browse our shop for more road maps and travel ephemera to round out your collection.