Commems Collection Classic: 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary - Ephemera III

Long ago, I established my potentially illogical penchant for supplementing my commemorative coin collection with paper ephemera items that have (from my perspective) at least a tenuous connection. Here, I present two such items that were issued by private companies to help mark Connecticut's 300th anniversary year.

I refer to two maps of Connecticut, one from Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, the other from The Southern New England Telephone Company. Neither was issued directly in conjunction with the Connecticut Tercentenary Commission as an official souvenir, and neither references/promotes the commemorative half dollar (a matter of timing IMO). But, each was issued to facilitate historical tourism during Connecticut's Tercentenary celebrations and help tell the story of the milestone anniversary - they were/are examples of private sector support for part of the Commission's mission.

The Southern New England Telephone Company map, drawn by John Butler, is 18" x 32" and is printed in color on both sides. The recto side presents the Connecticut map framed by a left panel of text regarding the Tercentenary celebrations and a right panel that presents brief vignettes of historic events of Connecticut's past. On the verso, at its centerfold, is found a message about the Tercentenary from Connecticut Governor Wilbur L(ucius) Cross that includes an invitation to visit Connecticut and join the State's celebration. In addition, the side presents half-tone photographs of historic sites/buildings in Connecticut with encouragement to visit them.

The recto's panel that discussed the Tercentenary promoted the Tercentenary's Official Medallion and included images of it. The panel also directed those with interest in Tercentenary events to contact the Tercentenary Commission for event details; the Commission's address was listed. So, a "once removed" link to the Tercentenary Commission.

Southern New England Telephone Company Tercentenary Map



The Aetna Casualty and Surety Company map, drawn by cartoonist John Held, Jr., is also 18" x 32" with color printing on each of its sides. As with the Telephone Company map, the recto side presents a colorful map of the State with its highways marked and small illustrations (by Held) at its various historic sites noted. Framing the map are brief descriptions of the historic sites identified. On the map's verso side, are descriptions of "Connecticut's Seventeen Original Towns" and selected "Historical Landmarks." The verso side also features the same message/invitation from Governor Cross as included on the Telephone Company map.

Aetna Casualty and Surety Company Tercentenary Map



So, if you'd like a bit of offbeat paper to go along with your Connecticut half dollar, may I suggest you map a route to either of these?


1935 Connecticut TercentRnary Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including others about the Connecticut half dollar, see: Commems Collection.


For a look at the Connecticut Tercentenary Medal, see:

- 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary Medal