Pictorial Map of Vermont by Ruth Taylor White, 1935: Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, County Boundaries, Maple Sugaring

Step into the vibrant world of 1930s Vermont with the original pictorial map titled "Vermont," crafted by the talented Ruth Taylor White in 1935. This captivating map, drawn at the height of America’s fascination with regional identity, offers a whimsical yet insightful window into the Green Mountain State as it was perceived nearly a century ago. Every inch of the map is alive with color and character, capturing the essence of Vermont through lively illustrations that evoke the state’s rich traditions and natural beauty. From the rolling hills to the bustling towns, the map serves as both a visual delight and a historical document, making it a prized piece for collectors and connoisseurs of Americana.

Ruth Taylor White, renowned for her unique blend of artistry and cartographic precision, was a pioneer in thematic and pictorial mapping. Her work stands out for its playful yet informative approach, weaving together elements of local culture, economy, and geography. White’s maps were often featured in popular atlases of the era, celebrated for their ability to transform static geography into engaging visual narratives. In "Vermont," her characteristic style shines through, with each county brought to life by vibrant vignettes that reflect the spirit and stereotypes of the time. Her maps are not just guides to place, but windows into the social imagination of 1930s America.

The design of this map is nothing short of enchanting, blending detailed county boundaries with a rich tapestry of illustrations. Rather than relying on traditional cartographic symbols, White populates the landscape with charming cartoon figures engaged in quintessential Vermont activities—dairy farming, maple sugaring, logging, and skiing. These pictorial elements serve as both artistic flourishes and cultural signposts, highlighting the state’s agricultural heritage and recreational allure. The map’s decorative border and ornate title banner further enhance its appeal, creating a sense of occasion and celebration around the subject of Vermont itself.

Geographically, the map covers the entire state of Vermont, meticulously delineating its counties and showcasing its natural features—mountains, forests, and rivers—through evocative artwork. Major towns and cities such as Burlington, Rutland, Montpelier, and Barre are marked, each rendered with an eye for local color and character. The absence of national parks or explicitly labelled landmarks is offset by the abundance of regional detail, inviting viewers to explore Vermont’s landscape through the lens of 1930s culture. The interplay of human activity and natural scenery on the map offers a snapshot of the state’s identity at a pivotal moment in its history.

Historically, this map is significant not only for its artistic merit but also for its role as a cultural artifact. It reflects the prevailing attitudes, aspirations, and even the stereotypes of its era, offering modern viewers a chance to reflect on how Vermont was imagined and represented in popular media. The map’s enduring charm lies in its ability to tell a story—of place, people, and time—making it an exceptional addition to any collection. Whether admired for its visual beauty or its historical resonance, Ruth Taylor White’s "Vermont" remains a testament to the enduring power of maps to capture the imagination and spirit of a region.

Cities and towns on this map

• Burlington
• South Burlington
• Rutland
• Barre
• Montpelier
• St. Albans
• Winooski
• Newport
• Vergennes

Notable Features & Landmarks

• County boundaries within Vermont are clearly delineated.
• The map is richly illustrated with pictorial representations of local industries (such as dairy farming, maple sugaring, and logging).
• Illustrations of Vermont’s natural landscape, including mountains, forests, and rivers.
• Cartoon figures engaged in activities like skiing, farming, and sugaring, reflecting Vermont’s cultural identity.
• Decorative border and title cartouche in a whimsical, colorful style.
• State name "Vermont" prominently displayed in a decorative banner.
• The map does not include a legend or scale bar.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Vermont.
• Original title: Vermont.
• Mapmaker: Ruth Taylor White.
• Date created: 1935.
• The map is a county or state thematic and pictorial map, featuring vibrant, colorful illustrations in a cartoon-like style.
• The map encapsulates stereotypical scenes from Vermont in the 1930s, highlighting aspects of the state's culture, geography, and economy through playful artwork.
• The map uses pictorial elements to represent local industries, customs, and notable features, reflecting the artistic trends and social perceptions of the 1930s.
• The map offers insight into how Vermont was viewed culturally and geographically during the 1930s, serving as both a historical document and a piece of visual storytelling.
• The illustrations reflect the stereotypes and cultural attitudes of the era, providing a window into 1930s American society.
• The map serves as a tool for understanding both the geography of Vermont and the visual language of historical American cartography.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.