Description
Guam has a long history of being a colony, beginning with the Spanish in the 17th century. Currently as an unincorporated territory of the United States, it is a major asset to the United States Armed Forces. Military housing and bases are a prominent feature of the island and on the offered map these bases are labeled, including the Naval Air Station Agana, the U.S. Naval Hospital, Naval Base Marianas, Headquarters Commander Naval Forces Marianas, Anderson Air Force Base, and Northwest Air Force Base.
The South Seas Trading Company was founded in Agana, Guam by Victor A. Olsen (1897-1985) in the 1950s. The Company published a pictorial map Island of Guam, undated, but c. 1960. Illustrations on the reverse side of the map include a store operated by the South Seas Trading Company for tourists with promotional text: “The modern South Seas Building is a shopper’s paradise .. and is the home of the popular South Seas Trading Co., a gift shop specializing in exotic merchandise from the Far East.” It may be presumed the the map was offered for sale at this store. Olsen lived on Guam and was intimately connected with its history and daily life. For example, in 1962, Olsen was the author and photographer for The Story of Karen: The Killer Typhoon. Some sources attribute Olsen as the creator of the pictorial map of Guam, though his name does not appear on it.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, handling, wear. Not folded as a postal mailer souvenir.
References:
“Guam.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guam (7 March 2025).
“The Story of Karen.” https://library.comfsm.fm/webopac/titleinfo?k1=2170389&k2=268163&limiters=DNA (7 March 2025)
