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Club Information Map Information Buy/Sell/Trade Maps Miscellaneous
| RMCA - Spring 1998 Newsletter PreviewFoldex Maps - The Ones with the Miracle Folds Many collectors have undoubtedly seen a 1950's Mobilgas map with the heading "MIRACLE FOLD ROAD MAP" on the cover. Earlier editions, such as my 1951 Map of Montana & Wyoming, add the footnote: "Produced Under License From FOLDEX Limited." The word Limited may give the game away, for the concept was not originated in the US, nor is it unique to Mobil, and there are in fact a whole host of Foldex maps to be found. To begin, let me explain briefly what a "Foldex" map is. Instead of each fold of the map having a uniform width, which is typical for most road maps, the folds on a map employing the Foldex system become progressively narrower, so that the lower ones overlap the ones above. Each fold has a number which can be seen when the map is first opened, and a key showing which part of the map relates to which numbered fold. On the Mobilgas maps, the key is printed on the innermost fold, above the index. However, most Foldex maps had card covers and the key was then usually printed on the inside of the card cover. ... Mid-West Maps - 1926-1934 Many map collectors have dark blue-on-white maps issued by the "Mid-West Map Company" of Aurora, Missouri, with artwork on the covers as pictured above. These maps typically measure either 5" x 7" or 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" when folded. There is a number code at the bottom of the front cover, usually a letter followed by four or five numerals, although sometimes an additional letter or numeral is added to the front of the code creating a code of seven characters. Open the map, and you'll usually find another code near the bottom of the map which usually consists of a letter followed by two or three numerals, followed by another letter or two. Like me, I'm sure you have been frustrated trying to decipher the coding convention on these maps and date them. Somewhere in this bewildering array of letters and numbers, there ought to be something to identify the date of the map. ... Map Sheet Skelly, 1925 – 1977
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