Peru, Vintage Map

Richard Edes Harrison transformed how Americans saw the world, and this stunning perspective map of Peru exemplifies his revolutionary approach to cartographic illustration. Created for Fortune magazine in the early 1940s, this piece renders the dramatic Andes in three-dimensional relief, making tangible the vertical geography that defines Peru: from the arid coastal desert hugging the Humboldt Current to the soaring peaks above 18,000 feet, down into the green expanse of the Amazon basin. Harrison's maps were revelations to mid-century readers accustomed to flat Mercator projections. His oblique aerial perspective allowed viewers to grasp strategic geography in ways that proved invaluable during wartime. Here, mineral deposits are marked throughout the highlands, the incomplete Pan-American Highway traces southward, and Lake Titicaca straddles the Bolivian border at 12,500 feet. Annotations translate Peruvian geography into American terms: the country is 'twice Texas' in area, and the Andes passes are 'seven times higher than the Alleghenies.' A significant example of American cartographic illustration at its peak, this map bridges art and information in the distinctive Fortune magazine tradition. Harrison's signed work represents a pivotal moment when maps became both educational tools and aesthetic objects worthy of the wall. Size: 14.0" x 11.0" Artist: Richard Edes Harrison Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear. Paper toning in accordance with the print's age. Marks/stains as per photo. Wear around the edges and minor paper loss might be present in some prints. Original fold lines may be present. Please refer to each print's image to get a better understanding of the condition.