1950 Latour Pictorial Map of Guatemala

This is a c. 1950 Delfino Sánchez Latour pictorial map of Guatemala. The map depicts the region from Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean and Honduras and from Mexico and Belize to the Pacific Ocean and El Salvador. Beautifully illustrated, Latour highlights Guatemala's past and present by including numerous vingettes of Mayan ruins, such as Tikal, Piedras Negras, and Uaxactun (Uaxactum) in the Petén department, alongside images of Guatemalans going about their daily lives: Loggers harvest Guatemala's forests, miners extract gold and silver from its mountains, and farmers harvest their crops and carry them to market. Cities and towns throughout the country are labeled, including Guatemala City, Quezaltenango, and Aguacatan, and some buildings within the cities are illustrated in profile. Lakes and rivers are also illustrated and labeled, as are several volcanoes. A panorama is situated along the bottom border, highlighting the traditional costumes and Guatemalan culture, while also promoting modern fashion and transportation.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Delfino Sánchez Latour and published by The National Tourist Committee circa 1950. The map is rare, with only 3 institutional holdings cited by the OCLC and one sale record in recent history.