Pictorial Map of Los Angeles–Salt Lake City Air Route, 1929: Western Air Express, Tri-Motored Fokker, Las Vegas, Great Salt Lake, Zion National Park

Step into the golden age of aviation with this captivating 1929 pictorial map, "Los Angeles-Salt Lake City," masterfully illustrated by Ruth Taylor White. Commissioned by Western Air Express, this map was created at a pivotal moment in American history, when commercial air travel was just beginning to reshape the nation’s sense of distance and adventure. White’s artistry captures not only the technical marvel of a 600-mile flight across the American West, but also the spirit of optimism and innovation that defined the era. The route itself, stretching from the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles to the cultural heart of Salt Lake City, is rendered with a keen eye for both geographic accuracy and visual storytelling.

What sets this map apart is its rich thematic content and engaging pictorial style. Rather than a simple navigation tool, it is a vibrant celebration of the landscapes, cities, and recreational opportunities that awaited the modern traveler. White’s illustrations bring to life the dramatic mountain ranges, lush forests, and sparkling rivers that define the region. Pictorial vignettes of skiers, swimmers, and horseback riders dot the landscape, highlighting the array of leisure activities accessible along the route. This is not just a map—it is an invitation to explore, dream, and experience the West as it was seen from the cockpit of a tri-motored Fokker aircraft.

Historically, this map stands as a testament to the rapid transformation of travel and tourism in the late 1920s. Western Air Express, whose bold arrowhead logo and “Travel by air” tagline are proudly displayed, was at the forefront of making air travel accessible and appealing to the public. The map’s inclusion of flying times, distances, and key waypoints—such as Las Vegas, Cedar City, and the awe-inspiring Great Salt Lake—underscores the era’s fascination with speed, efficiency, and modernity. It offers a rare glimpse into the early days of commercial aviation, when every flight was an adventure and every destination a new frontier.

The artistic merit of Ruth Taylor White’s work is evident in every detail. Her use of color, relief shading, and playful illustrations transforms the map into a lively tableau, where the natural wonders of the Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, and Utah’s national parks are as much a part of the journey as the cities themselves. Each place—be it the bustling streets of Los Angeles, the serene expanse of Bryce Canyon, or the historic charm of St. George—is depicted with affection and flair. The map’s double-page format allows for a sweeping, panoramic view that immerses the viewer in the grandeur of the western landscape.

Collectors and history enthusiasts alike will appreciate the map’s dual role as both a practical guide and a piece of cultural history. It encapsulates a moment when air travel was new, glamorous, and transformative, forever changing the way Americans experienced their country. With its combination of historical significance, artistic brilliance, and evocative storytelling, this map is not merely a relic of the past—it is a celebration of an era when the sky was truly the limit.

Places on this map

• Los Angeles, California
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• San Bernardino, California
• Barstow, California
• Caliente, Nevada
• Cedar City, Utah
• Great Salt Lake, Utah
• Mojave Desert, California/Nevada
• Sierra Nevada Mountains
• Colorado River
• San Gabriel Mountains
• San Fernando Valley, California
• Victorville, California
• St. George, Utah
• Parowan, Utah
• Panguitch, Utah
• Kanab, Utah
• Zion National Park, Utah
• Bryce Canyon, Utah

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The air route from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, clearly marked
• Illustration of a tri-motored Fokker aircraft flying above the landscape
• The Western Air Express logo (arrowhead) and the tagline “Travel by air”
• Pictorial representations of mountain ranges along the route
• Rivers and lakes illustrated along the flight path
• Recreational activities depicted, including skiing, swimming, and horseback riding
• Forested areas and national parks shown pictorially
• Smaller towns and waypoints labeled along the route
• Visual emphasis on the dramatic terrain, especially mountain passes
• Cartoon-like figures engaging in leisure and sports
• Distances and estimated flying times between key points
• Decorative border with thematic illustrations
• Key landmarks and natural features, such as the Sierra Nevada and Great Salt Lake, illustrated
• Visual cues for both summer and winter tourist attractions
• The map’s orientation is landscape, spanning two pages
• Use of bright, engaging colors typical of Ruth Taylor White’s style
• Relief shading to indicate elevation and mountainous areas
• Air route shown as a bold line or arrow across the map
• Major rivers, such as the Colorado River, depicted
• The map includes both urban and rural features, emphasizing the diversity of the landscape

Historical and design context

• Created in 1929 by Ruth Taylor White, a renowned American illustrator and cartographer
• Commissioned by Western Air Express to promote early commercial air travel
• Reflects the emerging aviation culture and the expansion of commercial air routes in the late 1920s
• Serves as both a promotional tool and a piece of visual culture from the era
• Provides a snapshot of early commercial aviation and its impact on regional connectivity and tourism
• The map’s vibrant, hand-drawn pictorial style brings to life both geographic accuracy and artistic flair
• Highlights the novelty and excitement of air travel as a modern, efficient alternative to rail or automobile travel
• Includes practical details such as flying times and distances, appealing to tourists and early air travelers
• Part of a larger publication that included tourist information and indexes for multiple Western U.S. air routes
• Offers a rare glimpse into the early days of American air travel, when every flight was an adventure

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 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.

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.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.