1945 Hemphill's Book Stores Map of the University of Texas Campus in Austin

This is a c. 1945 Hemphill Book Stores humorous pictorial map of the University of Texas, Austin.

A Closer Look

Two large arrows highlight the two Hemphill's Book Stores near campus, where large crowds wait for admission. Buildings throughout are labeled, including the newly constructed outdoor theater next to the law building. Coeds sunbathe outside Carothers and Littlefield Dormitories, while others, late to class, get into a car accident at the corner of Guadalupe and West 21st. Numerous fraternities and sororities are identified by their Greek letters, with phone numbers given. Most of the dormitories also have a phone number listed. We must not forget to mention the inclusion of Texas Memorial Stadium near the top border, where a Longhorn (the mascot of the University of Texas) is running off a Texas A and M Aggie. Two conveniences are provided for the students along the left border. The first is a place to write important telephone numbers, with the top blank labeled as the 'Light of My Life' and the university's number provided at the bottom of the list. The second is a very helpful key to the Greek alphabet, underscoring the significance of frat and sorority life there.

What's an advertisement without advertising?

Since this map was 'originated and distributed by Hemphill's Book Stores,' it would be surprising if there wasn't some self-promotion involved. Other than clearly marking the location of the two closest Hemphill's locations, the artist employs vignettes to highlight services provided by the bookstores. Two women, standing in front of Hemphill's No. 2 in the lower left corner of the map, state, 'That's Hemphill's where they give you free desk blotters, book covers, and those cute maps of the campus!'. Two other people, drawn outside the Hemphill's on the other side of campus, promote their policy of selling, renting, and fixing typewriters. There's also a series of signs along Red River Street, set up much like signs along highways lauding the fantastic pie at a roadside diner, that read, 'If you want to be smart / before classes start / avoid the big jam / use our Book Reservation Plan / Hemphill's!'.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Hemphill's Book Stores c. 1945. It is not cataloged in the OCLC, and we know only one other instance when it has been offered on the private market.