Rare Old Cold War World Map by Jessup, 1961: Communist Expansion, Nonaligned Nations, Propaganda Style
-
FREE delivery in 2 to 3 days
Free delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery, worldwide.
We make maps by hand locally in 23 countries, including Australia
![]()
. If you're buying a gift for someone in another country, we will make the map locally to them.You will never pay import tax or customs duty.
Free delivery will gradually get slower towards Christmas, as postal services start to struggle with larger volumes of post. I recommend ordering sooner rather than later to make sure you get everything with time to spare.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1-2 days.
Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
-
Certified sustainable +
we plant trees🌳
Sustainability & Tree Planting
Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!
That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.
But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.
If you spend $90 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
- Framing & personalisation available
-
60 day money back guarantee
60 days to return and refund
Products can be returned within 60 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.
Our usual returns window is 30 days, but to give you extra peace of mind during the Christmas period, we have an extended returns period of 60 days.
For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell personalised orders.
If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe.
Custom size and finish
If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
The "Global Pattern of the Red Offensive," crafted by John K. Jessup in 1961, is a striking representation of Cold War geopolitics. Commissioned by LIFE magazine, this map captures the ideological battleground between the "allied free nations" and the "communist alliance" at a time when the world was deeply divided. Jessup, a renowned cartographer, meticulously illustrates the spread of communism with bold red arrows emanating from Moscow and Peking, symbolizing the aggressive expansion of communist influence. This thematic map serves as both a historical document and a piece of political propaganda, reflecting the anxieties and tensions of an era defined by ideological conflict.
The map's design is both stark and evocative, with a clear color-coded legend that distinguishes between allied free nations, communist alliances, red regimes in power, and nonaligned nations. The use of red and white arrows to indicate communist aggression and areas of open conflict, respectively, adds a dynamic visual element that underscores the perceived threat of communist expansion. The absence of geographical and topographical features focuses the viewer's attention solely on the political landscape, making the map a powerful tool for conveying the urgency and gravity of the global situation in 1961.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this map is its portrayal of nonaligned nations, including many African countries, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Sweden, and Finland. These countries, while often anti-communist in their policies, did not align themselves militarily with the allied free nations, highlighting the complexity of global alliances during the Cold War. The map also notes regions of "trouble and tension," such as South Vietnam and Northern India, where communist influence was seen as a direct threat. This nuanced depiction provides a more comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical landscape beyond the binary opposition of East and West.
The map's historical significance is further enriched by its inclusion of countries with "red regimes in power," such as Yugoslavia and Cuba. Yugoslavia's well-documented disagreements with the USSR and Cuba's estrangement from the US and rapprochement with the communist alliance are key elements that add depth to the map's narrative. These details offer a glimpse into the shifting allegiances and internal conflicts within the communist bloc, making the map an invaluable resource for historians and enthusiasts of Cold War history.
In terms of cartographic style, the map employs a simple yet effective projection that ensures the political divisions are clearly visible. The bold, contrasting colors and the absence of extraneous details create a visually arresting piece that is as informative as it is compelling. The map not only serves as a historical artifact but also as a testament to the power of cartography in shaping public perception and understanding of global events. Whether you are a collector of historical maps or a student of Cold War history, the "Global Pattern of the Red Offensive" is a captivating addition to any collection.
Countries and regions on this map
- Continents:
- North America
- South America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia
-
Australia
-
Countries and regions:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Colombia
- Venezuela
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Brazil
- Bolivia
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
- Chile
- Argentina
- Iceland
- Norway
- Denmark
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Portugal
- Spain
- France
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Luxembourg
- West Germany
- East Germany
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Italy
- Yugoslavia
- Albania
- Greece
- Turkey
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Hungary
- Czechoslovakia
- Poland
- Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
- Finland
- Sweden
- Mongolia
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Syria
- Jordan
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
- Israel
- Egypt
- Libya
- Tunisia
- Algeria
- Morocco
- Mauritania
- Mali
- Niger
- Chad
- Sudan
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Uganda
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Mozambique
- Angola
- Republic of the Congo
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Gabon
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Togo
- Benin
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Sierra Leone
- Guinea
- Senegal
- Gambia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Malawi
- South Africa
- Namibia
- Botswana
- Swaziland
- Lesotho
- India
- Pakistan
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Bangladesh
- Burma
- Thailand
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Taiwan
- South Korea
- Japan
- Australia
- Papua New Guinea
- New Zealand
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Bodies of water:
- Oceans and seas are visible but not labeled.
- Arrows:
- Red arrows indicating communist expansion from Moscow and Peking.
- White arrows indicating areas of open conflict.
- Annotations:
- Labels indicating "trouble and tension" in regions like South Vietnam, Northern India, etc.
- Key/Legend:
- Located on the right side, explaining the color coding and arrow symbols.
Historical and design context
- Name of the map: Global Pattern of the Red Offensive
- Mapmaker/Publisher: John K. Jessup, created for LIFE magazine
- Date: 1961
- Historical context:
- Created during the height of the Cold War.
- Aimed to show the extent of the "allied free nations" and the "communist alliance."
- The map resembles a propaganda poster, blurring the line between informing readers and reinforcing a point of view.
- Themes and topics:
- The expansion and aggression of communist nations.
- The division of the world into "allied free nations," "communist alliance," "red regime in power," and "nonaligned nations."
- Areas of "trouble and tension."
- Design and style:
- Red arrows expand from Moscow and Peking, indicating communist aggression.
- Larger white arrows indicate open conflict in areas like Berlin, Kashmir, Nepal, Burma, and Taiwan.
- No geographical or topographical features are shown, focusing solely on political divisions and tensions.
- Significance:
- Reflects the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War era.
- Illustrates the perceived threat of communist expansion from the perspective of the Western bloc.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.
This map is wider than most maps, which would make it a perfect statement piece above a mantelpiece, sofa or desk.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.
Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.
I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.
All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.
I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.
If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).
We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.
My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.
I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.
Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.
Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.
All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.
Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.
If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.
My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.
I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.
My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.
I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.
I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.
Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.
Map personalisation
If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.
The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.
To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.
Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.
Map ageing
I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.
Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.
All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.
If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!
If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.
If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.
I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.
I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.
Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.
Or try searching for something!
