Old Pictorial Tourist Map of Benelux, 1950: Post-WW2 Optimism, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rhine, Windmills

Step into the vibrant world of post-war Europe with the “Carte Touristique de la Belgique, de la Hollande et du Luxembourg,” a captivating pictorial map crafted in 1950 by the renowned Libra Studios in collaboration with Kühn & Zoon. This exquisite piece is a visual celebration of the Benelux region, reflecting the optimism and dynamism of Western Europe’s travel renaissance after World War II. The map’s original French title immediately evokes a sense of adventure, promising a journey through the heart of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, all rendered in a lush, engaging offset lithograph.

Kühn & Zoon, a distinguished Dutch publishing house, was celebrated for its artistry and precision in cartography during the mid-20th century. Their collaboration with Libra Studios resulted in maps that were not only functional but also visually enchanting. This particular map is a testament to their expertise, seamlessly blending practical travel information with a playful, pictorial style. Every detail, from the swirling rivers to the delicate illustrations of landmarks, demonstrates a mastery of both design and geography, inviting viewers to explore and appreciate the region’s unique character.

The map’s design is a feast for the eyes, adorned with lively illustrations of iconic landmarks, windmills, castles, and cathedrals that define the cultural landscape of the Benelux countries. Major rivers such as the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt snake across the terrain, while the North Sea’s coastline frames the map’s western edge. Borders are clearly delineated, and the map is further embellished with national flags, coats of arms, and a decorative compass rose, offering a harmonious blend of artistry and information that was characteristic of the era’s finest cartographic works.

Beyond its visual appeal, the map is rich in thematic detail, highlighting the leisure pursuits that flourished in the 1950s. Golf courses, hiking trails, and airports are marked with charming icons, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for travel and outdoor activities in the post-war years. Forests, parks, and hilly regions—particularly in southern Belgium and Luxembourg—are rendered in lush greens and gentle contours, while pictorial vignettes capture regional industries such as tulip cultivation in the Netherlands and beer brewing in Belgium. This thoughtful curation of content makes the map both a practical guide and a delightful artifact of mid-century tourism.

A glance across the map reveals a constellation of historic cities and towns, each with its own story to tell. From the cosmopolitan grandeur of Brussels and Amsterdam to the medieval charm of Bruges and Luxembourg City, the map showcases the region’s most important urban centers, ordered by their enduring significance. The careful placement of settlements, alongside illustrated landmarks and natural features, creates a dynamic tableau that captures the spirit of the Benelux at a pivotal moment in its history. For collectors and connoisseurs, this map is not just a navigational tool, but a window into a bygone era of exploration, artistry, and European unity.

Cities and towns on this map

• Belgium (ordered by modern-day population):
• Brussels (Bruxelles/Brussel)
• Antwerp (Antwerpen)
• Ghent (Gent)
• Charleroi
• Liège
• Bruges (Brugge)
• Namur
• Leuven
• Mons
• Ostend (Oostende)
• Mechelen
• Hasselt
• Tournai (Doornik)
• Kortrijk
• Sint-Niklaas

• Arlon

• Netherlands (ordered by modern-day population):

• Amsterdam
• Rotterdam
• The Hague (Den Haag/'s-Gravenhage)
• Utrecht
• Eindhoven
• Tilburg
• Groningen
• Breda
• Nijmegen
• Enschede
• Haarlem
• Arnhem
• Dordrecht
• Leiden
• Maastricht
• Apeldoorn
• Amersfoort
• Zwolle
• Leeuwarden
• Den Bosch (’s-Hertogenbosch)
• Alkmaar
• Hilversum

• Middelburg

• Luxembourg:

• Luxembourg City (Luxembourg/Ville de Luxembourg)
• Esch-sur-Alzette

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations of key landmarks and monuments (e.g., windmills, cathedrals, castles)
• Major rivers (e.g., the Rhine, Meuse/Maas, Scheldt)
• Coastlines and the North Sea
• Borders between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, as well as neighboring countries (France, Germany)
• Airports, indicated with airplane symbols
• Golf courses and hiking trails, depicted with thematic icons
• Forested areas and parks, shown with green pictorial elements
• Mountainous or hilly regions, especially in southern Belgium and Luxembourg, illustrated with stylized hills
• Pictorial representations of regional industries or cultural activities (e.g., tulip fields in the Netherlands, beer brewing in Belgium)
• Decorative compass rose and cartouche
• National flags or coats of arms for Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg

Historical and design context

• Created in 1950, reflecting the post-World War II travel boom in Western Europe
• Crafted by Libra Studios / Kühn & Zoon, a renowned Dutch publishing house known for their pictorial and thematic maps
• The map is a vibrant offset lithograph, combining practical travel information with colorful, engaging artistry
• Focuses on the Benelux region: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg
• Highlights tourist activities and attractions, such as golf courses, hiking trails, and airports
• Serves as both a practical guide and a promotional tool for tourism and cultural exchange in the early years of European recovery
• Features a harmonious blend of artistry and information, characteristic of mid-20th-century cartographic works

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 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.