Old Firestone Tires World Map by Clegg, 1928: Global Reach, Industrial Scenes

Ernest Clegg's 1928 masterpiece, "Composite Map: Firestone Reaches Around the World to Give Most Miles per Dollar," is a captivating blend of thematic and pictorial cartography. Created as an advertisement for Firestone tires, this map was published in the December 1928 issue of The Country Gentleman. It vividly illustrates the global reach and economic value of Firestone's products, emphasizing the company's extensive distribution network and commitment to providing the best mileage per dollar. This map is not just a geographical representation but a testament to the industrial optimism and commercial expansion of the late 1920s.

Clegg, renowned for his detailed and artistic cartographic works, masterfully combines informative content with visually appealing artwork in this map. His ability to blend thematic elements with pictorial illustrations makes this piece a unique artifact of early 20th-century advertising. The map features various industrial scenes, such as factories and plantations, highlighting Firestone's operations worldwide. It serves as a historical document, reflecting the era's technological advancements and the global ambitions of American companies.

The design of the map is both decorative and functional, with artistic embellishments that draw the viewer's eye. A decorative compass rose, the Firestone logo, and floral motifs adorn the map, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The cartographic projection used provides a comprehensive view of the world, showcasing continents, countries, and major bodies of water. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans are prominently featured, along with the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, emphasizing the global nature of Firestone's reach.

Sea routes connecting different continents and regions are meticulously depicted, illustrating the extensive distribution network that Firestone had established by 1928. These routes symbolize the company's commitment to delivering quality products worldwide, reinforcing the map's central theme of economic efficiency and global presence. Historical notes and annotations provide additional context, offering insights into Firestone's operations and the broader industrial landscape of the time.

This map is not only a valuable historical artifact but also a piece of art that captures the spirit of an era. It reflects the industrial and commercial optimism of the late 1920s, just before the onset of the Great Depression. The map's detailed illustrations, decorative elements, and thematic focus make it a fascinating addition to any collection, offering a glimpse into the past and the ambitious vision of one of America's iconic companies.

Countries and regions on this map

• Continents:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia
• Africa
• Australia
• Countries and regions:
• United States
• Mexico
• Cuba
• Jamaica
• Haiti
• Great Britain
• France
• Spain
• Russia
• Siberia
• China
• India
• Liberia
• Dutch East Indies (including Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Malay Peninsula)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Smaller inset maps or additional illustrations:
• Illustrations of industrial scenes, such as factories and plantations.
• Decorative compass rose.
• Firestone logo.
• Bodies of water:
• Pacific Ocean
• Atlantic Ocean
• Indian Ocean
• Gulf of Mexico
• Caribbean Sea
• Sea, road, and rail routes:
• Various sea routes are depicted, connecting different continents and regions.
• Other interesting features:
• Historical notes and annotations about Firestone's operations and distribution.
• Illustrations of ships and transportation methods.
• Decorative borders and floral motifs.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Composite Map: Firestone Reaches Around the World to Give Most Miles per Dollar.
• Date created: 1928
• Mapmaker or publisher: Ernest Clegg
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Ernest Clegg was known for his detailed and artistic cartographic works, often blending thematic and pictorial elements.
• Topics and themes:
• The map highlights the global reach and efficiency of Firestone tires.
• It emphasizes the economic value ("Most Miles per Dollar") and the extensive distribution network of Firestone.
• Thematic focus on transportation and industrial progress.
• Design or style context:
• The map is highly decorative, with pictorial elements illustrating various regions.
• It includes artistic embellishments such as compasses, banners, and illustrations of industrial scenes.
• The style is indicative of early 20th-century advertising, blending informative content with visually appealing artwork.
• Historical significance:
• The map reflects the industrial and commercial optimism of the late 1920s, shortly before the Great Depression.
• It showcases the global expansion of American companies during this period.
• It serves as an example of how cartography was used in advertising to convey corporate messages and brand identity.

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 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.

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.

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 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.