"The Dark and Bloody Ground"

Rare pictorial map of the Kentucky, one of a number of different pictorial maps of Kentucky by the prolific illustrator Karl Smith.

The map illustraes landmarks and historical events in the decorative panels which make up the border.

Includes several bars of the song, "My Old Kentucky Home" in the top center; the state bird, the cardinal, in the upper right corner; and a cartouche incorporating the state seal in the upper left corner. A caption below the state seal gives a few facts about the state's history and its nickname, "The Bluegrass State."

At the bottom center, the map includes advertising for Old Fitzgerald, Kentucky's Best Bourbon.

The note below the seal of Kentucky reads:

"The Dark and Bloody Ground"

A name given to this region b y the Indians, because it had been the scene of many battles and much bloodshed . . .

Rarity

This would appear to be the rarest of the Smith maps of Kentucky.