1951 Dave Mink Pictorial Romantic Map of Florida

One of the best 20th century pictorial maps of Florida. This map, drawn 1951 by David D. C. Mink, embraces Florida's romantic history as well as its flora, fauna, and folklore. The map itself is full of pictorial vignette detail, with illustrations highlighting the animals, produce, and people of Florida. Along the coasts, there are references to explorers, marine life, beach fun, and, supposed pirate history (highlighted by the iconic skull and crossbones). The dramatic cartouche, appearing in the Gulf of Mexico, features pirates, Seminole Indians, adventurers, priests, and Ponce de Leone himself, along with treasure chests and alligators. Surrounding the map there is an elaborate pictorial border, with dated referenced at the top and bottom. To the left and right are terrestrial and aquatic animal life, respectively.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by the Ohio commercial artist David Mink and published in Sebring, Florida, in 1951. As far as we can tell, this is Mink's last work. Today, examples are extremely scarce with no known market history. We have identified just one other example located at the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center.