American Football Map, 1941 by Albert Richard: USA, NYC, LA, Chicago, Dallas, Boston

The "Albert Richard All-America Football Map" is a captivating artifact from 1941, crafted by the Albert Richard Co., a company renowned for its stylish men's and boys' outer sport coats. This map is a vibrant celebration of American football's burgeoning popularity on the eve of World War II, focusing on the college game. Illustrated by F.E. Cheeseman, it features dynamic depictions of players, mascots, and college banners, bringing the sport's spirit to life. The map not only highlights team nicknames and 1940 season records but also details major conference championships, capturing a pivotal moment in sports history.

Albert Richard Co. was not just a mapmaker but a visionary in combining commerce with culture. Their maps served a dual purpose, functioning as both a sports enthusiast's treasure and a promotional item for their clothing line. The verso of the map showcases a variety of jackets, complete with explanatory text and a list of retail stores, making it a unique blend of fashion and sport. This strategic marketing move underscores the cultural significance of football during this era and the innovative spirit of the company.

The map provides a detailed portrayal of the United States, with state borders clearly delineated, and a focus on major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It documents ten major professional football clubs of the time, reflecting the widespread appeal of the sport across the nation. The inclusion of the 1941 schedules for major conference schools, including Army, Navy, and Notre Dame, adds an extra layer of depth, offering enthusiasts a comprehensive overview of the football landscape.

Endorsed by the legendary sports writer Grantland Rice, the map gains an additional layer of prestige and credibility. Rice's selections for the 1940 All-America team are prominently featured, further enhancing its appeal to collectors and sports historians alike. This endorsement not only highlights the map's authenticity but also its importance as a historical document, capturing the essence of American sports journalism and its impact on popular culture.

In essence, the "Albert Richard All-America Football Map" is more than just a map; it is a vibrant tapestry of American history, sports, and commerce. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the early 20th-century cultural landscape, where football was not just a game but a national pastime that united communities and inspired generations. This map is a testament to the enduring legacy of American football and the innovative spirit of its creators, making it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Cities and towns on this map

• United States:
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Houston
• Philadelphia
• Dallas
• San Francisco
• Boston
• Washington, D.C.
• Detroit
• Seattle
• Denver
• Atlanta
• Miami
• Minneapolis
• Cleveland
• New Orleans
• Pittsburgh
• Kansas City
• Cincinnati
• Indianapolis
• Milwaukee
• Columbus
• Charlotte
• San Antonio
• San Diego
• St. Louis
• Baltimore
• Nashville
• Memphis
• Portland
• Oklahoma City
• Louisville
• Richmond

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Football players and college mascots
• College banners and team logos
• Borders:
• State borders within the United States
• Other Features:
• Key to Locations, Nicknames, and 1940 Records
• Illustrations of Albert Richard clothing line and endorsements

Historical and design context

• Creation Date: 1941
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Albert Richard Co., known for producing men's and boys' outer sport coats
• Illustrator: F.E. Cheeseman
• Endorsement: Features endorsement by Grantland Rice, a renowned sports writer
• Themes:
• Popularity of football, especially college football, by the onset of World War II
• Includes team nicknames, 1940 season records, and major conference championships
• Documents ten major professional football clubs of the time
• Promotional tool for Albert Richard's clothing line, showcasing jackets and retail stores
• 1941 schedules for major conference schools
• Design/Style:
• Pictorial and thematic, featuring illustrations of players and college banners
• Dual purpose as a sports map and promotional item
• Historical Significance:
• Reflects the cultural significance of football in early 20th-century America
• Highlights the intersection of sports, commerce, and culture

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.