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Vintage 1956 Esso Sverige (Sweden) Road Map & Pictorial Travel Guide
Up for sale is an original vintage folding Esso road map and travel guide for Sweden (Sverige), published for Svenska Esso AB by General Drafting Co., Inc. (Convent Station, New Jersey). Clear copyright dates throughout mark this item as an authentic 1956 publication.
Printed in both Swedish and English, this piece served as a comprehensive motor touring guide during the post-WWII European travel boom, when global oil companies like Esso produced high-quality maps to encourage road travel and customer loyalty across international service station networks.
Detailed Map Sections & Features
Illustrated Pictorial Guide Map (Bildkarta över Sverige): A signature General Drafting Co. creation featuring over 90 hand-drawn color illustrations mapping out historic castles, cathedral spires, mountain ranges, and regional traditional dress (folkdräkter) across Sweden's provinces.
Numbered Key & Index (Items 1–93): Features a numbered legend running along the border with bilingual Swedish/English descriptions providing historic context and local travel trivia for each landmark.
City Street Maps & Insets: Includes detailed city street plans for Central Stockholm, Stockholm & Vicinity, and Gothenburg (Göteborg).
Terrain Relief Map: Features a full physical topography/relief map of Sweden on the reverse.
Mid-Century Ephemera & Artwork: Displays classic 1950s Esso branding, red oval logos, traffic sign guides, and cover artwork depicting the Royal Guard parade at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
Condition Details
Pre-owned vintage condition with bright, vivid original colors.
Original paper folds remain tight with light, age-appropriate handling wear along crease intersections.
No major rips, heavy staining, or tape repairs observed.
International purchase pay $6 flat rate for shipping by 1st class international mail without tracking
