Pictorial Map of Delaware by Ruth Taylor White, 1935: Wilmington, Dover, Delaware Bay, Beaches, First State

Step into the vibrant world of 1930s Americana with “Delaware,” an original pictorial map crafted by the renowned Ruth Taylor White in 1935. This exceptional work is more than a geographical representation; it is a celebration of Delaware’s unique identity, rendered in a style that blends historical reverence with whimsical artistry. The map’s original title, simply “Delaware,” hints at its focus: an intimate, detailed exploration of the First State, capturing its spirit through a colorful tapestry of illustrations. As part of a larger series of state maps, this piece stands out for its ability to encapsulate both the essence and the evolution of Delaware at a pivotal moment in American history.

Ruth Taylor White, celebrated for her imaginative approach to cartography, brings Delaware to life with a flourish of vibrant colors and playful, cartoon-like vignettes. Her artistry is unmistakable, transforming the map into a lively tableau where every corner tells a story. The map’s design is not merely decorative; it is deeply informative, using visual storytelling to highlight the state’s most cherished features and industries. White’s work is a testament to her skill in merging artistic creativity with historical accuracy, making her maps highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of both cartography and American culture.

The map’s thematic richness is immediately apparent in its depiction of Delaware’s diverse landscapes and industries. Sweeping illustrations of agricultural activity, from lush farmlands to bustling poultry scenes, underscore the state’s rural heritage and economic backbone. The Delaware River and Delaware Bay are prominently featured, their sinuous blue lines a reminder of the waterways that have shaped the state’s history and commerce. Along the Atlantic coast, lively beach scenes and maritime motifs evoke the state’s enduring relationship with the sea, while references to the shipbuilding industry nod to Delaware’s pivotal role in early American industry.

Historical and cultural context are woven seamlessly into the map’s fabric. Scenes referencing Native American heritage and colonial settlement honor the region’s deep-rooted past, while visual allusions to the DuPont chemical industry highlight Delaware’s emergence as a center of innovation. Perhaps most striking is the proud proclamation of Delaware as the “First State,” a nod to its distinction as the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution. County boundaries—New Castle, Kent, and Sussex—are elegantly illustrated, each area adorned with motifs that reflect its local character and historical significance.

Completing this captivating portrait are the state’s towns and cities, each rendered with a charm that reflects their modern-day prominence. Wilmington, Dover, Newark, and Middletown, among others, are artfully depicted, their locations anchoring the map in both time and place. The inclusion of these settlements, alongside evocative images of local wildlife and natural resources, creates a layered narrative that invites viewers to explore Delaware’s past and present. For collectors and enthusiasts, this map is not only a visual delight but also a meaningful artifact—an invitation to journey through the storied landscapes and vibrant culture of Delaware as seen through the eyes of one of America’s most distinctive mapmakers.

Cities and towns on this map

• Wilmington
• Dover
• Newark
• Middletown
• Milford
• Seaford
• New Castle
• Smyrna
• Georgetown
• Laurel
• Harrington
• Lewes
• Delaware City
• Rehoboth Beach
• Milton
• Camden
• Bridgeville
• Selbyville
• Clayton
• Millsboro

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations of agricultural activities, such as farming and poultry, reflecting Delaware’s rural economy in the 1930s
• Depictions of the Delaware River and Delaware Bay, highlighting the state’s important waterways
• Coastal features and beaches along the Atlantic Ocean
• Representation of the shipbuilding industry, a significant historical industry in Delaware
• Imagery of Native American heritage, acknowledging the region’s indigenous history
• Scenes of colonial history, referencing Delaware’s role in early American settlement
• Iconography related to the DuPont chemical industry, a major economic force in Delaware
• Visual references to Delaware’s status as the “First State” to ratify the U.S. Constitution
• County boundaries and names (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) clearly illustrated
• Illustrations of local wildlife, such as poultry and fish, reflecting Delaware’s natural resources

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Delaware
• Date of creation: 1935
• Mapmaker: Ruth Taylor White
• Part of a whimsical pictorial atlas of the United States from the 1930s, known for colorful and engaging illustrations
• Uses vibrant, cartoon-like illustrations to depict scenes and stereotypes representative of Delaware in the 1930s
• Captures the essence of Delaware during the 1930s, reflecting both the culture and historical events or industries significant to the state at the time
• Serves as both a historical document and a piece of Americana art, valued by collectors and those interested in U.S. cartography and history

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 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

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

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

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.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.