A luminous celebration of the Pacific Northwest at mid-century, The Olympic Peaks captures the region in April 1962, when Seattle’s skyline—and spirit—were transformed by the Space Needle and the excitement of the World’s Fair. Conceived by F. Dippolito and copyrighted by Bremerton publisher George W. Martin, this bird’s-eye panorama sweeps from the busy harbors of Seattle and Tacoma across the intricate lacework of Puget Sound and Hood Canal to the ramparts of the Olympic Mountains. Rich, vibrant color and lively pictorial detail convey both the grandeur of the landscape and the vitality of its shore towns. Historically, it serves as a time capsule of a region pivoting from timber and shipbuilding toward aerospace, science, and a newly confident modern identity.

The heart of the composition is the Olympic range, rendered as a sculptural procession of named summits—Mt. Ellinor, Mt. Washington, Mt. Crusoe, Mt. Pershing, Mt. Stone, Mt. Anderson, Mt. Jupiter, The Brothers, and Big Cedar Mountain—each peak rising as a landmark with its own personality. The artist’s elevated perspective lets the eye trace ridgelines and valleys as they tumble toward saltwater, evoking the drama that inspired early park advocates and mountaineers. Historically, these peaks were visual wayfinders for mariners and symbols of the enduring wilderness that shaped conservation debates from the 1930s through the postwar outdoor boom, culminating in a 1960s public newly attuned to recreation and preservation.

Equally compelling is the maritime tapestry: the broad sweep of Puget Sound, the long fjord of Hood Canal, the sheltered inlets of Dyes Inlet and Port Orchard, and the labeled Golyos Passage that channels traffic along Vashon Island’s western shore. The map places Kingston, Olalla, Silverdale, and Bremerton within this navigational world, acknowledging the ferries, fishing fleets, and naval presence that knit communities together. Historically, Bremerton’s shipyard and Tacoma’s port anchored Cold War readiness and commerce, while small towns thrived on timber, boatbuilding, and trade. Shorelines are drawn with affectionate precision, underscoring how the Sound’s complicated geography shaped settlement, industry, and everyday life in the early 1960s.

Urban energy meets natural spectacle in the map’s portrayal of Seattle and Tacoma. Seattle’s newly minted Space Needle rises as an emblem of the Century 21 Exposition, projecting a future-minded ethos that resonated with Boeing’s ascendancy and the city’s scientific ambitions. Tacoma’s industrial waterfront appears as the hardworking counterpoint, its identity forged by lumber, shipping, and rail. Vashon Island offers a pastoral interlude between these hubs, while Bremerton reflects the Navy’s strategic footprint. Historically, this was a moment when Pacific Northwest culture synthesized maritime heritage, aerospace innovation, and outdoor recreation, and the map distills that synthesis with a storyteller’s eye and a mid-century sense of optimism.

Beyond its sweeping vistas, the map rewards close study: labeled lakes dot the foothills, vegetation is depicted with painterly texture, and communities ringed around the Sound affirm a living, working landscape. Historical notes on the verso enrich the scene with context about geography and culture as understood in the early 1960s, making the piece both decorative and instructive. As a work of pictorial cartography, it bridges art and history—an evocative narrative of place that invites repeated viewing. For collectors, designers, and Pacific Northwest devotees, it is a sophisticated statement piece that captures the era’s adventurous spirit and enduring sense of wonder.

Places on this map

• Seattle
• Tacoma
• Vashon Island
• Bremerton
• Hood Canal
• Puget Sound
• Mt. Ellinor
• Mt. Washington
• Mt. Crusoe
• Mt. Pershing
• Mt. Stone
• Mt. Anderson
• Mt. Jupiter
• The Brothers (Mountain Range)
• Big Cedar Mountain
• Kingston
• Port Orchard
• Dyes Inlet
• Olalla
• Silverdale

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Olympic Mountain Range: Detailed depiction of mountains with labeled peaks including Mt. Ellinor, Mt. Washington, Mt. Crusoe, and more.
• Puget Sound: The expansive water body prominently portrayed, with intricate shorelines depicted.
• City of Seattle: Illustrative features capturing the urban landscape with structures like the Seattle Space Needle.
• City of Tacoma: Illustrations with identifiable landmarks.
• Vashon Island: Shown in detail with surrounding waters labeled.
• Bremerton: Identified with surrounding features.
• Hood Canal: Clearly marked, illustrating its geographical significance.
• Golyos Passage: Labeled water passage indicating navigation routes.
• Historical Notes (on verso): Providing crucial context related to the area.
• Illustrative Terrain: A vibrant portrayal of terrain and vegetation types in the region.
• Numerous Lakes: Various smaller lakes are illustrated, each labeled appropriately.

Historical and design context

• Map Name: The Olympic Peaks
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Created by F. Dippolito, copyrighted by George W. Martin, Bremerton, Washington.
• Date: April 20, 1962
• Map Dimensions: Measures 52x91 cm unfolded and 26x23 cm folded.
• Theme: Historically informative thematic and pictorial map showcasing natural beauty and historical significance of the Pacific Northwest.
• Visual Style: Bird’s-eye view with vibrant colors and detailed illustrations of the Olympic Mountains and adjacent landscapes.
• Geographical Focus: Seattle, Tacoma, Puget Sound, Vashon Island, Bremerton, and Hood Canal leading to the Olympic Mountain range.
• Notable Elements: The Seattle Space Needle prominently featured, tied to the Seattle World's Fair era.
• Historical Context: Includes historical notes on the verso about the region’s geographical and cultural significance in the early 1960s.
• Artistic Notion: A visual narrative that blends steeped artistic style with attention to historical detail.

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.

The model in the listing images is holding the 36x24in (90x60cm) version of this map.

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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my 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.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.