The Evolution of the “Map” of Antarctica on the cover of the National Geographic Magazine

[George Thomas Wilson]

The Evolution of the “Map” of Antarctica on the cover of the National Geographic Magazine

Everyone knows that the familiar yellow and oak leaf covers of the NGM had four globes embedded amongst the foliage: Northern and Southern hemispheres on the top and bottom and the Western and Eastern hemispheres on the left and right. These maps were revised from time to time.

I have searched my collection and documented the changes to the bottom page map, the one with Antarctica. This exercise reflects our change in knowledge of the seventh continent.

The first version appears on the February 1910 issue. There is no continent per se in this map. It does show the tip of the Palmer Peninsula at the 10 o’clock (south of South America) and Wilkes Land at the 3 to 5 o’clock position (south of Australia) along with various islands. Note: unlike the later revisions, this map is not a hemisphere projection, but more of a polar region map. It does not extend to the equator. The last copy of this map appeared on the May 1928 issue.

The second version of the map appears mid production run on the May 1928 NGM. It includes a representation of Antarctica with a coast line drawn fro the 9 o’clock around to the 6 o’clock with the edge of the continent left nebulous south of the Pacific Ocean. This map was kept in use until April 1961.

In May 1961, the final version of the map was produced. It shows the entire Antarctic coast line. It appeared on the NGM until August 1966. After that, the cover photograph began to overwrite it. This map was, however, kept in use until the Jul/Dec 1988, per volume index after which it was retired.

Tom Wilson

[Melvin L. De Vilbiss]

Thanks Tom - very interesting!

Mel

[Scott T. Shier]

Funny timing Tom,

I was just in the bookstore this month and was examining the new "NGM Covers" book and this was but one of the numerous spotlights of the cover evolution they touched on.

[George Thomas Wilson]

Note: The timing of the switch from map 1 to map 2 was corrected to reflect the May 1928 mid production run changeover.

[George Thomas Wilson]

Note: I just increased the size of the three images in this discussion.

[Scott T. Shier]

great, thanks !