This scarce Wisconsin pictorial map was created by the artist Nina S. [Sharpe] Bahlman (b.1885-1977) 1/ 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.1885-1964) her spouse. 2/ 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 restates (incorrectly) the spelling of the artist's surname as "Bahlmann" The example of the map on offer gives every appearance of being the period 1932 copyrighted artwork.
This edition of the map was published by the Milwaukee Sentinel to commemorate its one hundredth anniversary as a continuously published newspaper (1837-1937). From the map credits, all of which appear in very small font below the green, outer frame of the print, we learn that the Milwaukee Sentinel engaged the business community, the Wisconsin State Historical Commission and research associates and the Wisconsin Conservation Commission in preparing and obtaining their endorsements of the map. 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 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.
A student of Wisconsin history will identify volumes of state history in this fanciful pictorial map.
Notes:
1.Ancestry.com genealogical record for Nina Rebecca Sharpe, spouse of Erwin F. Bahlmann. On the map art work, she prints her name as "Nina S. Bahlman".
2. Ancestry. com genealogical record for Erwin F. Bahlmann includes as his spouse Nina Rebecca Sharpe. Erwin F. Bahlmann's name as copyright holder is printed in the map art work as "Erwin F. Bahlmann".