Published by the Milwaukee Sentinel Commemorating Its One Hundredth Anniversary June 27, 1937: Approved by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission, Checked and Approved by Dr. Joseph Schafer, Superintendent of the Historical Society of Wisconsin and Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg, Senior Research Associate Endorsed by the Wisconsin State Chamber of Commer

color lithograph by Litho in U.S.A.

dimensions: 24" x 28.5 " print, 26 1/4" x 30" sheet size

condition: professionally removed from wood backing and restored, deeply toned paper, some surface damage to paper, repaired vertical tear through sheet, backed with Japanese Mulberry tissue, some chipping at edges

This scarce Wisconsin pictorial map was created by the artist Nina S. Bahlman (b1886-___) whose art work other than this map may exist in collections but is not readily identified. The copyright is held by Erwin F. Bahlmann (b.1886-__) a family member or spouse. The Library of Congress cites its copy of this map as Historical Map of Wisconsin and cites a 1995 copyright registration. WorldCat confirms that there is a 1995 reprint of this map. A further note corrects the spelling of the artist's name to read "Bahlmann". The example of the map on offer gives every appearance of being the 1932 edition.

The map was published by the Milwaukee Sentinel to commemorate its one hundredth anniversary as a continuously published newspaper. From the map credits, all of which appear in very small font below the green, outer frame of the print, the Milwaukee Sentinel engaged both the business community, the Wisconsin State Historical Commission and research associates and the Wisconsin Conservation Commission. These professionals therefore provided the artist with criteria that were historical, and very much concerned with Wisconsin's natural beauty and wildlife, its native peoples and the changes wrought by Western settlement.

Progress is artistically represented as a ground up process. First contact and chopping down Wisconsin's virgin forests is shown at the bottom of the pictorial map. Settlement and development of farms, villages and towns appears in ascending layers. Native peoples are shown in the forest and engaged in their own affairs. Historic events and people are drawn throughout the scene and mark experiences of Wisconsin's residents over at least 300 years.

Stylistically the map and its decorative border are simple but idealized. At the top of the pictorial map is the domed state capital building. A kindly North Wind drawn in the top right corner of the map blows air currents that support airplanes in the vicinity of the large and create clouds above which the dome and spires of the state capitol building extend. Wild birds, including an owl look down upon this scene. Perhaps as well as a narrative about progress, the Milwaukee Sentinel wished to represent the one hundred year history that was written across its newspaper pages, and the map may be read as a pictorial compendium of those daily reports.