1932 Julius Muller Map of Wyoming and the State's Highways

A superb example of the first official highway map of Wyoming, signed by the mapmaker, Julius Muller and printed in 1932. The map's title is surmounted with a decorative view of the Grand Tetons and Jackson Lake. The map shows the network of roads, differentiating between those in the State Highway System and those not maintained by the state. Color is used to distinguish oiled or paved roads, gravel roads, graded dirt roads and 'unimproved' dirt roads. Among the roads not maintained by the state, shading and thickness indicates roads that invite 'local inquiry regarding condition' and on which 'chains are advisable during wet weather.' A truly modern map, it includes air routes, and shows landing fields, airports and navigational beacons. Where roads lead the reader off the map, attractively-framed text indicates the prime destinations via that specific route (eg., 'To Rocky Man Nat'l Park or DENVER via Fort Collins and Loveland.')

A signed example, with the original enclosure

The map bears, in red ink in an extremely fair hand, the signature 'With Compliments Julius Muller.' Present as well is the official Wyoming State Highway department envelope in which the map was originally enclosed. The envelope is addressed (in painstaking, beautiful calligraphy executed in the same red ink as the signature on the map) to Robert Spurrier Ellison (1875 - 1945) of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ellison was President of the Stanolind Crude Oil Purchasing Company and the Stanolind Pipeline company, and a book collector (his focus was Western Americana.) On a personal note, Ellison had been a resident of both Denver, Colorado and Casper, Wyoming at the same time as Muller, suggesting a high likelihood that they were acquainted. The envelope bears two 2-cent stamps, cancelled April 19, 1932 - the same year this first edition of Muller's map was available. It is not difficult to surmise that Muller was personally treating his successful hometown acquaintance to a sneak preview of his opus.

Historical Trails

The map also marks the 13 historical paths, both tied to individual explorers (such as Colter, Bonneville and Fremont) and those associated with larger movements (such as the Mormon trail, the Oregon Trail and the route of the Pony Express.)

Attractions

The map shows national parks and monuments, military reservations, Indian reservations, national forests and game refuges using shaded areas of different color. Yellowstone National Park appears prominently among these, surrounded by the Shoshone, Teton, and Wyoming National Forests. Along the roads, more specific sites are noted in text on the map: Old Fort Laramie, for example, and Whiskey Gap 'Made historic through condemnation and destruction (by Maj. O'Farrell, commanding Co. 'A,' 11th Ohio Cavalry,) of entire wagon train's supply of whiskey, A.D. 1862. (First official raid and prohibition enforcement of record.) '

The Verso

the reverse of the map, bearing the title 'Wyoming Worth Knowing' contains a road map of the United States showing the position of the State of Wyoming. Text describes each of the State's counties, and describes in detail the state's historical sites, mountain ranges and passes, peaks, canyons, glaciers and other points of interest.

Publication History and Census

The map is neglected in institutional collections, residing only at Yale, Montana State University, the Newberry, and Brigham Young University. An updated 1933 edition appears in slightly greater number, and OCLC shows further updated editions of 1935 and 1936 as well. We see no examples in dealers' catalogues or auction records.