The World According to Standard Oil (N.J.) WW2. Richard Edes Harrison 1940 map

£130

SKU: P-7-019967

'The World According to Standard (N.J.) - How a great oil company works in time of peace and how the war is affecting it'


The map, titled "The World According to Standard (N.J.)," was designed by Richard Edes Harrison for Fortune magazine. It visually represents Standard Oil’s global operations during the early stages of World War II, employing a custom “oil drop” projection to emphasize the company’s key production and refining centres, particularly in Texas and Venezuela. Flow lines in dark brown and yellow trace the routes of crude and refined oil, transported via pipelines and tankers. The map's focus lies on Standard Oil's main operating territories of the Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast, and the Caribbean, while less significant areas, like East Africa and Southeast Asia, are minimized. Flags on the left margin graphically illustrate the tanker fleet's tonnage registered across various nations, emphasizing the company's maritime footprint. Accompanying text highlights geopolitical challenges affecting operations in 1940, including British wartime gasoline rationing and blockade of Germany, and asset nationalization/expropriation in countries like Mexico and Bolivia. The projection distorts global geography to centre on the Northern Hemisphere, reflecting Standard Oil's commercial priorities and the interconnected nature of its operations. This pictorial map merges artistic design with data visualization, and serves as a commentary on the resilience of Standard Oil’s industrial empire amid shifting global tensions.

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Size 36 x 57 cm | 14.0 x 22.5 inches

Date Published: March 1940 [dated]

Type: Vintage colour map. Two sheets conjoined

Author: Harrison, Richard Edes

Publication: Fortune Magazine

Fortune Magazine May 1940 Volume XXI. Number 5

Condition: Good |

Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. There is text and/or images printed on the reverse side

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Condition Guide

We assess the condition of each item using three categories: Good, Fair, and Poor. We strive to ensure that any significant flaws are clearly shown in the images provided and detailed in the accompanying condition statement.

Good

The item presents well, with no significant flaws, and is in frameable condition. Minor imperfections—such as light spotting or offsetting, small blemishes, tight margins, neatly repaired tears, or discreet/professionally executed restoration—do not materially detract from its overall appearance.

Fair

The item shows noticeable flaws but remains in frameable condition. Some buyers may feel these imperfections affect its visual appeal. Typical issues may include more prominent spotting, blemishes, bleed-through from the reverse, obvious offsetting, visible or extensive restoration, wear along fold lines or junctures, small wormholes, trimmed or closely cropped edges, or less carefully executed repairs.

Poor

The item has major flaws that significantly impact its presentation and/or suitability for framing. These may include heavy spotting, staining, bleed-through, offsetting, unrepaired damage, or poorly executed repairs such as tears, holes, or areas of paper loss (including within the printed image). The item may also be fragile and prone to further deterioration.