A Hysterical Map of Bryce Canyon National Park, created in 1940 by the inimitable Jolly Lindgren, transforms the canyon’s labyrinth of cliffs and hoodoos into a riot of color and wit. Its banner pronouncement—“It’s Nature in a Delirium”—sets the tone for a deliriously imaginative tour, where exaggerated spires, plunging valleys, and cheeky creatures animate every corner. Lindgren’s playful marginalia, directional markers, and vignettes coax the viewer to look closer and laugh often, while still recognizing the real terrain beneath the whimsy. The result is a conversation piece that fuses pictorial art and cartographic insight, inviting both map-lovers and park devotees to navigate Bryce Canyon through a lens of humor, wonder, and irrepressible creativity.

Within this surreal theater, familiar names are reinvented as stage props for Lindgren’s comic imagination. Rainbow Point and Natural Bridge appear as stylized landmarks, stretched and spotlighted to heighten their drama. Fairyland Canyon, Inspiration Point, and Sunset Point parade across the sheet like characters in a lively pageant, their forms amplified to express the canyon’s improbable geology. The Pink Cliffs glow exuberantly, while artistic renditions of animals and whimsical notes—“If you see pink elephants, don’t worry”—hint at nature’s own sense of mischief. Lindgren’s bright palette and elastic contours capture the emotional experience of Bryce: an otherworldly amphitheater where stone seems to dance and light turns rock to ribbons.

More than a delight to the eye, this map is a cultural artifact of American travel’s golden age. In 1940, as national parks drew motorists and day-trippers, Lindgren’s blend of satire and sightseer’s guidance perfectly reflected the nation’s enthusiasm for scenic exploration. His approach honors the facts of place even as it pokes fun at them, a style that bridged popular humor and the evolving art of pictorial cartography. The map stands at the intersection of design and destination—an emblem of how Americans celebrated landscapes not only through photography and guidebooks, but through witty, accessible graphics that made geography feel like shared folklore.

Lindgren’s humor serves as a cartographic compass, with a lively legend that distinguishes “Good Roads” from “Poor Roads,” framing the practical within the playful. Exaggerated mountain shapes and valleys are annotated with irreverent asides—“What Mess” and “55 Sq. Miles of Carelessness”—that parody the canyon’s unruly grandeur. Yet the geography remains grounded: Bryce Canyon is set among named locales including Sheep Creek Flat, Howard Creek, Bull Valley, Merril Point, Death Hollow, Tropic, Cannonville, Duck Creek, Johnson Ranch, The Pines, Desert View, Dave’s Hollow, and The Canyons. Clear directional markers—N, S, E, W—anchor the spectacle, ensuring the viewer never fully loses their way amid the delirium.

For collectors of national park memorabilia, Americana, and pictorial maps, this work is a rare harmony of scholarship and showmanship. The colorful title banner brims with bravado; the landscape teems with sight gags that reveal new layers on every viewing; and the named viewpoints and towns root the fantasy in real ground. As an exemplar of Jolly Lindgren’s celebrated humor, it captures Bryce Canyon’s paradox—fragile forms rendered in enduring stone—through a language of exaggeration that feels truer than strict realism. It is both a historically significant document and a joyous tribute to the wilderness’s capacity to surprise.

Places on this map

• Bryce Canyon
• Rainbow Point
• Natural Bridge
• Fairyland Canyon
• Inspiration Point
• Sunset Point
• Pink Cliffs
• Sheep Creek Flat
• Howard Creek
• Bull Valley
• Merril Point
• Death Hollow
• Tropic
• Cannonville
• Duck Creek
• Johnson Ranch
• The Pines
• Desert View
• Dave’s Hollow
• The Canyons

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Exaggerated mountain shapes and valleys to depict various geological features.
• Humorous annotations like “What Mess” and “55 Sq. Miles of Carelessness”.
• Stylized illustrations of various landmarks and features, such as "Rainbow Point" and "Natural Bridge".
• An illustrated "Legend" describing terrain types, such as “Good Roads” and “Poor Roads”.
• References to whimsical phenomena (e.g., “If you see pink elephants, don’t worry”).
• The colorful title banner prominently displayed at the top.
• Distinct directional markers indicating N, S, E, W.
• Artistic representations of animals or exaggerated natural features.

Historical and design context

• Year Created: 1940.
• Mapmaker: Jolly Lindgren, known for his humorous and whimsical interpretation of geographical features.
• Themes: The map incorporates surreal and abstract elements to illustrate Bryce Canyon, blending cartographic accuracy with artistic humor.
• Themes: The phrase “It's Nature in a Delirium” highlights the fantastical portrayal of nature.
• Design and Style: The map features bright colors and exaggerated geographic features for visual impact.
• Design and Style: It employs humor, making it more of a conversation starter rather than a strictly functional map.
• Historical Significance: Represents a unique intersection of art, humor, and cartography, serving as both an artistic artifact and a point of interest in the history of map-making.

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 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

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 order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.