Rare Old Short Wave Radio World Map by Turzak, 1932: Global Communications

Step into the vibrant world of the early 20th century with the "World Wide Short Wave Radio Map," a captivating creation by the renowned artist Charles Turzak. Crafted in 1932, this map is a testament to the burgeoning excitement surrounding global communication via shortwave radio. Turzak, an Illinois-born artist of Czechoslovakian descent, brings his unique artistic flair to this map, illustrating the thrill of exploring the world through radio waves. His background in woodcut art and watercolor is evident in the map's intricate details and vivid colors, making it a true collector's piece.

The map was published by the Stewart-Warner Corporation, a leading manufacturer of instruments and appliances in the early 1900s. This thematic and pictorial map reflects the era's fascination with radio technology, showcasing the global reach of shortwave radio. It invites viewers to imagine the new world of entertainment and exploration that radio promised, connecting distant lands and cultures through the magic of the airwaves.

Designed with a colorful and illustrative style, the map features a wealth of decorative elements, including airplanes, ships, and a zeppelin soaring across the skies. The cartographic projection emphasizes the vastness of the oceans, with radio wave paths elegantly traced across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. The map is adorned with annotations about radio broadcasts and stations, capturing the spirit of an age when the world was becoming increasingly interconnected.

The "World Wide Short Wave Radio Map" is not just a geographical representation but a historical document that captures the zeitgeist of the 1930s. It highlights the importance of radio as a revolutionary medium for global communication and entertainment. The map's vibrant illustrations and informative annotations make it a fascinating piece for historians and collectors alike, offering a glimpse into a time when the world was on the brink of a new era of connectivity.

This map also serves as a reminder of the artistic prowess of Charles Turzak, whose work has been celebrated in exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago. His ability to blend art with informative content is masterfully displayed in this map, making it a must-have for anyone interested in the history of communication, cartography, or the art of the early 20th century.

Countries and regions on this map

• Continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica
• Countries/Regions:
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Argentina
• United Kingdom
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Russia
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• Various regions in Africa and the Middle East

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset illustrations: Includes illustrations of airplanes, ships, and a zeppelin.
• Bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Mexico.
• Sea routes: Illustrated routes showing radio wave paths across oceans.
• Other features:
• Illustrations of radio towers and signals.
• Annotations about radio broadcasts and stations.
• Decorative elements such as compasses and banners.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: World Wide Short Wave Radio Map
• Date: Estimated to be created in 1932
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Created by Charles Turzak
• Context about the mapmaker: Known for his work as a woodworker, woodcut artist, and watercolorist.
• Publisher: Stewart-Warner Corporation
• Themes and topics: Focuses on the global reach and excitement of shortwave radio.
• Design/Style: Colorful and illustrative, with a focus on entertainment and exploration.
• Historical significance: Reflects the fascination with radio technology in the 1930s.

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 100in (250cm). 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.