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The "Flag Map of California" by William M. Goodacre is an exemplar of the rich tradition of pictorial mapmaking, particularly resonant during the Golden Age of American pictorial maps from the 1920s to the 1960s. During this era, such maps burgeoned into popular culture, evolving into more than mere navigational tools. They became vibrant canvases that blended cartography with artistry, inviting viewers to engage with geography on a more imaginative level.
Goodacre's map is steeped in the aesthetic and cultural sensibilities of this Golden Age. It eschews the strict functionalism of traditional maps for a more embellished and narrative-driven form, characterizing places not only by their physical locations but also by their historical and cultural significance. The intricate illustrations of flags, landmarks, and historical figures that pepper the California landscape in Goodacre's work are indicative of this period's approach to mapmaking, where the visual appeal and educational value are paramount.
This particular map also reflects the zeitgeist of its time—a period marked by a deep appreciation for national history and heritage. As the United States looked to both celebrate its past and define its identity during the interwar and post-war years, pictorial maps like Goodacre's served as conduits for public engagement with the American story, rendered in a form that was accessible, educational, and aesthetically pleasing.
Moreover, the "Flag Map of California" exemplifies the dual function of pictorial maps in this era: to inform and to delight. While providing a historical account of the changing governance of California, it also captures the viewer’s imagination with its artistic flair. Goodacre's work not only charts the topography of California but also encapsulates the historical narrative of the state, thereby embodying the quintessence of the Golden Age of American pictorial mapmaking.
The various flags of California include:
- England (Drake)
- Russia (Russian Colony at Bodega and Fort Ross)
- Argentina (Hypolite Bouchard raid of Monterey in 1818)
- Bear Flag Republic
- Republic of California
- John Fremont's flag / 1846
- Spain
- United States
- Mexico
![Index Map of the Civil Code of California Designed and Executed By Curtis Lindley . . . [bound into] Revised Laws of the State of California; In Four Codes: Political, Civil, Civil Procedure and Penal . . .](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/84298.jpg)
