Don Bloodgood’s 1960 Winter Olympic Games Squaw Valley, California is a jubilant fusion of art, athletics, and mid-century travel culture. Issued by Shell Oil Company as a spirited visitor’s guide to the Games, it marries practical orientation with Bloodgood’s signature whimsy—vivid colors, lively characters, and a richly detailed hand. A decorative cartouche and crisp compass rose introduce the tableau, while banners and playful arrows draw the eye across the Sierra. As the only obtainable pictorial map devoted to the 1960 Winter Olympics, it captures a singular cultural moment: the West Coast’s alpine stage welcoming the world, and America’s car-borne spectators navigating a new era of leisure, sport, and scenic exploration.

The landscape itself unfurls in luminous tiers, from the deep blues of Lake Tahoe to the snow-laced ridgelines above Squaw Valley. Color gradients articulate elevation, labeled peaks punctuate the skyline, and wildlife animates forests and meadows. Roads and transportation routes sweep in from Reno, Carson City, and Truckee, threading past Donner Pass and onward to lakeside communities—Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Crystal Bay, Tahoma, South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Zephyr Cove, and Homewood. Informative boxes and neat directional devices keep travelers oriented, while vignettes of local culture and history—Virginia City’s Comstock echoes, Minden and Gardnerville’s ranchlands—lend narrative depth to a region poised between frontier lore and modern recreation.

At the heart of the sheet, Olympic venues and competition areas are depicted with theatrical clarity: alpine courses carving the slopes, Nordic trails weaving through timbered valleys, rinks alive with figure skating and hockey, and the ski jump poised against the high country. Ski lifts and trails are crisply marked, spectator areas thoughtfully indicated, and icons of gear—skis, skates, poles—sprinkle the scene with festive energy. Land-use designations guide winter pursuits across adjacent terrain, while nearby resorts—Alpine Meadows, Heavenly Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort, and Homewood—form a constellation of destinations tied together by highlighted routes. The whole composition works as both itinerary and invitation, equal parts map and celebration.

Historically, the map stands at the turning point of Olympic modernity. Squaw Valley hosted the first Winter Games in the United States since 1932, a spectacle broadcast to unprecedented audiences and choreographed with Hollywood flair under Walt Disney’s pageantry team. Electronic timing and data processing modernized competition, women’s speed skating debuted, and bobsleigh was notably absent—unique in Winter Olympic history. The American men’s hockey gold became a defining triumph of the Games. Bloodgood’s work registers these shifts indirectly yet vividly, channeling the optimism of a nation in motion: highways gleaming, service stations guiding motorists, and the Sierra Nevada recast as a democratic theater of winter sport.

For collectors, the pedigree is impeccable. Bloodgood’s career—stretching back to his 1935 California Pacific Exposition map—brought a storyteller’s wit and an illustrator’s discipline to American pictorial cartography. Here, his hand animates every detail: the elegant cartouche, directional banners, and key information boxes that distill events and logistics; the lyrical rendering of peaks and pines; the convivial scenes that humanize geography. More than a guide to a fortnight of competition, this is a keepsake of a region and an era—where Lake Tahoe’s brilliance, Sierra routes, and Olympic lore converge. As the only obtainable pictorial testament to the 1960 Games, it is both historic document and enduring work of art.

Places on this map

• Squaw Valley
• Lake Tahoe
• Reno
• Carson City
• Truckee
• South Lake Tahoe
• Alpine Meadows
• Heavenly Ski Resort
• Donner Pass
• Homewood
• Tahoe City
• Kings Beach
• Minden
• Gardnerville
• Tahoma
• Stateline
• Zephyr Cove
• Incline Village
• Northstar California Resort
• Virginia City

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Olympic venues and competition areas
• Major transportation routes and roads
• Landmarks and facilities such as hotels and ski resorts
• Scenic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains
• Iconic illustrations representing winter sports
• Notations for recreational activities around Lake Tahoe
• Visual depictions of fauna and natural features
• A compass rose indicating directions
• Key information boxes about the games and locations
• Land use designations for skiing and snowboarding areas

Historical and design context

• Created in 1960 by Don Bloodgood; published by Shell Oil Company
• Folding promotional map for visitors to the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics
• Colorful pictorial style with whimsical illustrations typical of Bloodgood’s work
• Decorative cartouche used for the title and map legend
• Only obtainable pictorial map for the 1960 Winter Olympics
• First Winter Olympics held in the U.S. since 1932
• Reflects the era’s culture and tourism focus
• Bloodgood’s background includes an early pictorial map for the 1935 California Pacific Exposition

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 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

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.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.