Street Map of Downtown Toronto by Shell Oil, 1930's

This is a museum-grade reproduction of a vintage street map of Downtown Toronto by Shell in 1930. In the early 20th century, the oil-company road map appeared for free in gas stations across America. Soon, as more and more Americans owned cars and began driving for pleasure, the oil-company road map became the primary medium through which Americans found their way on the ever growing network of the national roads and highways. The oil-company road map is a tangible record of the development of a purely American fascination with the automobile. The maps were designed to advertise the products and services of a company, but also to encourage the motorist to travel and discover America. The cover artwork itself is often quite sophisticated and provides compelling insight into the history of American culture.