The guide to Toyland

• Main Author: Kaplan Stores (Iowa)
• Language: English
• Published: Kaplan Stores (Iowa)
• Subjects: Imaginary places; North Pole
• Online Access: https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/4de65820-2c79-013b-c7b0-02d0d7bfd6e4-4

Not drawn to scale Likely published in Iowa. Likely published between May 1927 and 1929. A "fantastic pictorial map designed to promote a chain of toy stores for Christmas." Relief shown pictorially. Illustrations of toys, games, and children's books with descriptive text and prices, as well as imaginary characters associated with Christmas, on verso and accompanying sheet. [Every child's dream is to visit the world of Toyland, where all the latest amusing creations are available at their fingertips. One Iowa toy store tried to make that dream a reality with this pictorial guide. Issued as a cover to a Christmas toy catalog, this wonderful world contains a myriad of charming and amusing illustrations. Cultural icons originating from music, movies, and literature from across the globe are shown in vibrant full color. The North Pole, Treasure Island, and the Enchanted Forest are just a few of the mythical locations that can be visited. The map is also presented as a sort of board game, with a starting point, various stops with instructions for play, and the end at Santa's Castle. The map is very scarce. Based on the toys included in the accompanying catalog page (including the Spirit of St. Louis and Parker Brother's Flight to Paris board game), I suspect the date is close to 1928. A similar map in the Rumsey Collection was issued around 1940 and shows a different toy store, Mulholland's.]--Edited description of Curtis Wright Maps.