The W.A. Fisher Company is a well-known publisher of pictorial maps that has been active in Minnesota since the early 1920s. Based in Virginia, Minnesota, the company has a reputation for creating maps that capture the essence of the state's natural beauty and recreational areas.
This extensive group of original artwork, glass plate printing negatives, and amended proofs represents the company's retained working archive from which printed maps were produced. Comprised of over 120 items, most of which date from the 1930s to the 1950s, the archive offers a unique and comprehensive look at the process by which these maps were created. The majority of the material seems to date from the 1950s.
Among the artists represented in the archive are Frank Antoncich, Albin Zaverl, Burt Surtees, G. Lepisto, and Charlie Pottsmith. These artists were responsible for creating some of the most iconic and beloved maps of Minnesota and the surrounding region, and their work continues to be celebrated and admired by collectors and enthusiasts today.
Much of the subject matter in the archive relates to the Boundary Waters, Iron Range, and other popular recreational areas in northern Minnesota. This makes the archive not only a valuable resource for those interested in the history of map making, but also for those interested in the early formation of Minnesota's identity as a state known for its outdoor recreational opportunities.
The archive includes maps related to popular destinations such as Lake Itasca State Park, the Arrowhead Region, the Border Lakes Region, and the Quetico-Superior Country, as well as the Gunflint Trail. These maps cover cities such as Duluth, Virginia, Park Rapids, Bemidji, Ely, and Cass Lake, and provide a rich and detailed look at the geography and culture of these areas. There are dozens of lake lodges mentioned, often with maps specifically composed to promote a lodge and illustrate how to get to it.
One of the standout features of the W.A. Fisher Company's maps are the "Cartomaps," which are filled with dozens of caricatures and often humorous annotations. These maps offer a unique and entertaining look at the places and people depicted, and provide a glimpse into the culture and attitudes of the time in which they were created.
No other pictorial mapmaking archive of this depth and breadth has appeared on the market. This archive is similarly unique when it comes to Minnesota-related subject matter; W.A. Fisher Company has no parallel in the state's history and thus this archive is necessarily the best of its kind in that context.